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Bully Proofing Your Child or Youth

Written by Sally Caldwell, LPC-S, leading therapist at Fairbanks Psychiatric and Neurological Clinic

Being bullied during childhood and adolescence can have a lasting effect on a person's mental health. A new study found that children who were bullied frequently when they were 8 years old were more likely to develop a psychiatric disorder that needed treatment as an adult. Bullying is not the teasing parents may recall as harmless during their own childhoods. Today, bullying can be verbally and physically violent. It is relentless harassment by usually a small group of peers, and it can find its way into your child's or adolescent's daily life through social media.

Bullying creates self doubt, shame, and fear. Watch for the signs:

  • Problems sleeping
  • Avoiding social situations.
  • Resists attending school.
  • Looking sad, quick to anger.
  • Injuries under clothing.
  • Lost or damaged possessions.
  • Conflict with peers.

Bully proof your child by building their bounce back skills to effectively cope, adjust, and recover from stress and adversity. Avoid parental yelling and intervene on sibling rough housing that creates a winner and a loser. Demonstrate respect. Listen attentively and offer a precise summary of what you heard. Develop self reliance. Help your child or youth discover their unique talents and capacities and let them know what they contribute to the family's strength. An empowered child or youth with a firm attachment to family is less likely to be a target for a bully and less susceptible to negative outcomes, if they are bullied. Resilience is built at home.

Inform yourself then talk to your child or youth about bullying, including cyber bullying. Bullying is a serious problem and a hard one for the school, police, or community to effectively stop. If your child or youth does not seem to be coping well, adjusting, and recovering from a bully's behavior, it is important to seek help early.

Sally Caldwell, LPC-S is the leading therapist at Fairbanks Psychiatric and Neurological Clinic.  She has over 17 years of training and experience working with children and youth. If are concerned your child is being bullied, and you would like to schedule an appointment with Sally, please give the Fairbanks Psychiatric and Neurological Clinic a call to begin the screening process at (907) 452-1739.  The clinic accepts most private insurances, and is now accepting Tricare.

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