Counselling, Psychotherapy and Psychology Blog - Archive for Nov 2021

Therapy and Counselling for Bullying

Bullying is abuse and the initial focus must always be about stopping the bullying from occurring or continuing. The very nature of bullying, namely the use and abuse of power, means that action is needed to address the power dynamic. Whether you are being bullied, have been bullied or think you might be bulling then get others involved and if you witness or suspect bullying then there is always something you can do. Ultimately bullying is never good for the bullied, or the bully and to have a society that does not stop bullying is not good for anyone.

Bullying often brings short-term and long-term negative effects on the victim, no one experience of bullying is ever the same and as such the affects vary. It is not unusual for bullying to have devastating longer term impacts. Research looking at the long-term psychological effects of bullying showed that the people who were bullied as children had a greater risk of depression, anxiety, suicide, low-self-esteem, panic disorder and agoraphobia as adults. It is important to remember that the psychological damage caused by bullying doesn’t end only because a victim has become an adult and now has a different life in which they are no longer bullied. Bullying commonly causes long-term issues, therefore the sooner the problems are addressed, the sooner they can be prevented from creating deeper problems.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - Signs, Treatments, Therapy

Seasonal Affective Disorder is also known as winter depression and is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern and is related to changes in seasons. SAD begins and ends at about the same time every year.  Although some people who struggle with SAD may have symptoms during the summer, it is far more common for the symptoms to show and be severe during the winter months.

The symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder can include low mood and increased irritability, daytime fatigue, difficulty concentrating, lack of interest in social activities, feelings of hopelessness, feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness, unhappiness, reduced sexual interest, unhealthy food cravings and weight gain. In severe cases, SAD can cause suicidal thoughts and excessive anxiety.

Organisations That Can Help You If You Are Being Bullied

Bullying can have a detrimental effect on students and adults. It affects the physical and mental health, wellbeing and learning. It can often leave long-term problems and concerns, where therapy may be needed.   

In the previous articles we’ve discussed the different types of bullying that can occur in your life and the effects of Covid-19 on bullying. This article is about the organisations that can help you if you are being bullied. Some of the well-known ones include:

Bullying During Covid-19

During the Covid-19 pandemic there has been an increase in the use of online and digital platforms, as well as social media. Kids and teenagers not only use digital platforms for their personal use but also for educational purposes, particularly during lockdown and when classes are moved to online teaching. With the increased usage of online platforms and social media, students who are prone to bullying are likely to cyberbully.