The U.S. DHHS has defined three characteristics of a bullying situation. There must be negative or malicious behavior, which is repeated over a period of time, and which creates an imbalance in the power or strength between the bully and his victim. Most of this behavior is between students that are in the same grade level, but there are also cases of older students bullying those who are younger than them.
While physical bullying is marked by hitting, kicking and fighting, mental bullying is when the bully hurts a child emotionally. Teasing is a form of mental bullying, especially when it is done to a child who is already distressed. School children can also bully other kids by always excluding them from activities, shunning them from their group of friends and spreading rumors about them. Many school bullies use manipulation to overpower their victims, often alienating them from their friends.
According to the DHHS, direct bullying is more likely to be a problem for boys. Bullying does happen between girls, though it is less likely to become physical. This type of mental bullying between girls is harder for parents and caretakers to discover, since there are no bruises or other types of telltale signs that a child is the target of a school bully.
Mental bullying can have devastating consequences. Victims of this type of bullying often suffer from low self-esteem, depression, fear, insomnia and anxiety. In some situations, the emotional abuse is so bad that it causes victims to contemplate suicide. It is crucial to recognize the symptoms of mental bullying so you can take action quickly. If you feel that your child may be a victim, look for signs such as irritability, crying, hypersensitivity, mood swings and withdrawal.
If your child is a victim of mental bullying at school, you must contact the school immediately. Your child may beg you not to, for fear of the repercussions, but the school must know about the situation in order for it to stop. While you, the school and the bully's parents are working on a resolution, make sure to tend to your child's emotional scars. Work on increasing his self-esteem and consider taking him to a counselor if you feel that he needs extra help.