Almost one in every 10 child faces bullying, but its impact can linger on into adulthood. According to doctors in the city, childhood bullying can lead to depression later on in life.
Sumir Khanna*, a 35-year-old businessman from Ghatkopar, was on the verge of depression, which was not only affecting his career but also his family life.
Helpless, Rita*, his wife — left with no option— took him to GT Hospital to see a psychiatrist. No one would have suspected that his depression was related to traumatic events that had happened 20 years earlier.
“After counselling, we got to know some hidden facts of his childhood that kept him traumatised but he was unaware of it until his depression became more visible. All these were linked to bullying that he had faced,” said Dr Sagar Mundana, a psychiatrist from GT Hospital who treated Sumir.
The incident may sound unbelievable, but every month the psychiatric department receives at least one such case where an adult suffers from depression due to bullying in childhood. Overall, the hospital records around 10 depression cases that are related to bullying every month, while in private hospitals, the number is still higher.
“Bullying leaves a negative imprint in our minds that are inherent and can have severe repercussions on us in the long run. In some cases, we have seen that such incidents in childhood after several years can force the affected person to get involved in criminal activities, including sexual abuse,” he added.
Sharing other examples, he said that a month ago, he had received a patient in his mid 30s who had developed a dislike for his son. After repeated counselling, it was discovered that he was bullied in his childhood, which affected his behavioural attitude towards his son.
Bullying increases chances of a person developing depression and anxiety by three times. Also, it leads to suicidal tendencies and an inferiority complex. Also, in the long term, they can develop violent and irritable behaviour that become more evident in their adulthood.
Dr Pradeep Patkar, a psychiatrist from Navi Mumbai, said that bullying is a form of assault that people often carry forward with them in their life. “Later in life when a person faces any kind of internal or situational problems, the memory from childhood adds to their depression and, as the tenure of childhood lasts longer due to protected family environment, they become more vulnerable,” added Dr Patkar.
Hence, it is paramount to save children from bullying. “Both parents and teachers should keep an eye on their children. With any symptoms of bullying, the child should be immediately counselled,” said Dr Mundana.
* Names changed.
Types of bullying: 1. Physical: Hitting, poking, pushing or damaging somebody’s belonging 2. Psychological: Threatening, manipulation, stalking 3. Cyberbulling 4. Verbal bullying: Name calling, lying , mimicking
Clinical indicators of bullying: 1. Refusal to go to school 2. Social withdrawal 3. Not wanting to speak about school 4. Vague symptoms such as headache or abdominal pain 5. Bruises on body 6. Irritable for most of the day 7. Nightmares 8. Nocturnal enuresis
