Teenagers who are victims of violence from their peers often suffer from severe depression and a lack of self-esteem. These problems can potentially stay with them for the rest of their lives if left untreated. The manifestation of these problems is not only mental. The New York Times and multiple scientific journals have published articles detailing how children and teenagers who are frequently faced with violence often show signs of brain alteration with regard to the brain's neurochemical system. The brain can become flooded with stress chemicals, which can alter the brain physiology over time, leaving the subject with a larger tendency to become depressed and a possible disposition that leads to violence.
Another danger of teen violence is that it can frequently beget more violence. Many school shooters, including one of the Columbine perpetrators, were shown to suffer from severe depression and suicidal thoughts, according to an article published in USA Today. While this depression is not always the result of bullying or earlier violent acts, the victim of violent behavior can suddenly snap if provoked, and in a moment of retaliation react without thinking about the consequences.
Victims of childhood or other family violent behavior can subconsciously lead to seeking out relationships that repeat the pattern of abuse. A teenager who has been in an abusive relationship is more likely to seek out other abusive relationships as she gets older. It can become a regular cycle as a result of the low self-esteem that was established during earlier violent situations. Counseling is frequently needed to recognize these unhealthy patterns so that they can be corrected.