Unpacking trauma and PTSD from bullying

Maybe it started in elementary school when classmates mocked your appearance, or perhaps a former boss publicly humiliated you. The impact of bullying can linger, quietly shaping how you see yourself and interact with the world. Bullying is a form of trauma, with one in five students experiencing behaviors like rumors, name-calling, or teasing. But adults can experience bullying too: around 31% of adults also report harassment at work or on social media. In fact, you can develop mental health conditions like PTSD from bullying. 

Bullying can deeply damage your self-esteem and trust in others. Repeated harassment, humiliation, or intimidation can leave lasting psychological wounds, including anxiety, insecurity, depression, self-harm* and symptoms of PTSD. Understanding its lasting impact is the first step toward overcoming the effects of bullying and reclaiming your sense of self.

*If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or thoughts about harming themself or others, please call or text 988 on any phone for the Suicide & Crisis lifeline, contact a local crisis line, or head to the emergency room immediately. Any of these resources will ensure that the person in crisis receives support right away. For more information on getting help, go to 988lifeline.org

If experiencing a life-threatening emergency or you need immediate help, please call 911. 

Types of bullying and how they can affect you 

Childhood bullying is considered an adverse childhood experience (ACE) that can have lasting effects. Repeated harassment, humiliation, and isolation often lead to feelings of fear, helplessness, and unworthiness. Research shows that the impact of bullying can extend into adulthood, affecting health, income, and relationships.

The six main types of bullying are: 

1. Physical: Using physical force to scare, hurt, or control someone
2. Verbal: Includes name-calling, teasing, mocking, hurtful jokes, or sarcasm to make someone feel bad, embarrassed, or afraid 
3. Emotional intimidation: Involves threats, constant criticism, public humiliation, or spreading rumors to undermine a person’s confidence and sense of security
4. Racial or ethnic-based: Harassment that targets someone because of their race, ethnicity, or cultural background, potentially including name-calling, stereotyping, exclusion, physical aggression, or spreading harmful stereotypes intended to demean or isolate
5. Sexual: Involves inappropriate jokes about someone’s body or sexuality, sharing private photos without permission, and using these actions to embarrass, shame, or control the person 
6. Cyberbullying: Takes place online or through smartphones, computers, and tablets, including threatening messages, spreading rumors, sharing private information or embarrassing photos, and using social media to harass or exclude someone 

Bullying can take place in many settings. For example, bullying can happen: 

• At work: If your boss constantly criticizes you in front of others with comments like, “Maybe you’re not cut out for this job,” or, “I’m not here to babysit you, figure it out,” that’s bullying at work. These remarks aren’t helpful; they’re meant to tear you down, leaving you feeling anxious and isolated.
• In families: Parent bullying often involves constant criticism, humiliation, and control. For example, a parent might insult your appearance or abilities, saying things like, “You’ll never amount to anything,” or, “Why can’t you be more like your sister?” This kind of behavior can make you feel powerless, unworthy, and isolated, damaging your self-esteem and mental health.
• Online: If someone shares images online to mock your appearance or leaks private messages to cause humiliation, that’s cyberbullying. It’s often driven by power, control, or insecurity. The lack of face-to-face interaction makes it easier for some to inflict harm without feeling guilty.
• At school: Kids and teens may bully others at school by putting others down, peer pressure, lack of empathy, or a desire to feel powerful. They might say hurtful things like, “No one likes you.”

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The lasting emotional aspects of bullying

The effects of bullying can last for years. Many people experience symptoms of PTSD, like anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts, long after the bullying ends — especially if it was frequent or severe. In some cases, bullying may lead to complex trauma (C-PTSD), which develops after prolonged exposure to harm or humiliation, particularly during child or teen years.

It’s not always easy to recognize a trauma disorder right away. Some people may not connect their symptoms to bullying until months or even years later. This delay is common, especially when someone has spent a long time trying to minimize or push past the pain.

The consequences of bullying can show up in a variety of ways, including: 

• Insecurity and isolation: Bullying often leaves lasting feelings of insecurity and isolation. The emotional impact is deep, leading to rejection, anger, and withdrawal.
• Physical health problems: Beyond immediate injuries, bullying can cause long-term issues like headaches and sleep problems.
• Relationship difficulties: Past trauma can make it hard to trust, communicate, or feel secure with others. Many who have experienced bullying struggle with feelings of insecurity and fear of rejection.
• Trust issues: People who have been bullied may develop trust issues that can last for years, making it hard to form healthy relationships.
• Trauma triggers: Walking into familiar places where bullying happened can bring back flashbacks or anxiety. Even simple arguments can trigger memories of bullying, causing stress or panic. 
• School and work problems: Bullying can disrupt concentration, leading to poor performance in school or work and increased absenteeism.
• Increased risk of self-harm: For some, the emotional toll of bullying can lead to self-harm or suicidal thoughts — especially if they’re not getting the support they need. 
• Self-blame and low self-esteem: Many victims internalize the abuse, believing they deserved it or there’s something inherently wrong with them. This self-blame often spirals into negative self-talk, shame and guilt, and low self-esteem.

Healthy ways to overcome trauma from bullying

Healing from bullying takes time, support, and sometimes therapy to fully process the impact and rebuild your sense of self-worth. Acknowledging what happened and practicing self-care can set you on the path of recovery.

Explore these self-care tips to help you heal:

• Practice self-compassion. Be kind to yourself. Replace negative self-talk with positive self-affirmations that remind you of your strength.
• Prioritize mindfulness. Exploring trauma-informed mindfulness practices can help soothe anxiety or negative thoughts, without triggering past pain.  
• Build a support network. Spend time with people who value and respect you. Positive connections help rebuild confidence.
• Limit social media use. If online interactions trigger painful memories or negative feelings — especially if you experienced cyberbullying — consider limiting your time online or making your accounts private.
• Try journaling. Reflecting on what happened in a journal can help you process emotions and gain perspective.
• Set boundaries. Learn to set clear boundaries with people who’re disrespectful or hurtful. Protecting your peace is important.
• Celebrate your progress. Acknowledge even the smallest steps toward healing. Reflecting on how far you’ve come can boost your confidence.
• Seek professional help. Talking to a therapist can be helpful in your healing journey. They can use techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you reframe negative thoughts, rebuild trust, and learn ways to manage anxiety, shame, and triggers from past bullying.

Find care with Rula

If you’re struggling with the lasting effects of bullying, therapy can provide a safe space to process painful experiences, understand emotional triggers, and build healthier coping strategies. Remember, bullying is never your fault — and you don’t have to heal alone. Therapy is here to support you in this journey. 

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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