Bullying is usually associated with the childhood years, but it can be a serious problem for adults as well. According to a survey by Harris Poll, 31% of people were bullied as an adult Bullying can be frightening at any age, and many adults aren’t sure how to respond to it.
Adult bullying often looks different from types of bullying We hear more about children. Learn ways to recognize adult bullying behavior and how to deal with adult bullies.
If you suffer from bullying, you can always look up Online therapist to help deal with it.
Types of adult bullies
Bullying and harassment are very similar. In fact, the two terms are often used interchangeably. While harassment can be classified as a form of bullying behaviour, the term bullying describes a persistent pattern of behaviour. There are many types of adult bullies, which we discuss in detail below.
verbal bully
These bullies intentionally hurt their victims with words. Verbal bullying may include exposing the person to insults, harsh criticism, or constant harassment. In some cases, verbal bullies may threaten or use racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or other abusive and intimidating language.
Passive aggressive bully
Passive-aggressive behavior can be a way of bullying adults to indirectly attack others. They may use gossip, hurtful jokes, or sarcasm to attack. Bullies who engage in this behavior often deny that they are doing anything wrong, which can make the bullying victim question their feelings.
The adult physical bully
While these bullies may physically attack victims, they may also engage in violent and intimidating behavior. For example, a bully may throw or break things. In some cases, physical bullies mimic violence and laugh or ridicule the adult victim if she appears to be threatening.
Tangible/adult physical bully
Adults who engage in physical bullying have power or authority over their victims. The bully can be a boss, a manager, or have physical power, such as financial control of an adult victim. Even if you know how to deal with adult bullies, you may feel helpless if the bully is someone who holds the power over you.
adult cyber bully
about 40% of adults have been bullied online. In some cases, harassment develops into cyberbullying. A victim of cyberbullying may be attacked or sent harassing messages via email, social messages or text messages. Online bullies also engage in behavior such as online stalking. If you are being harassed by a cyberbully, check out these tips for How to deal with cyberbullying.
“There are many ways in which adult bullying can manifest. “Karens” has become a term for someone who harasss a person of color by calling the police in illegal situations. Karen’s knowledge that the police will elicit a harsh response to non-white individuals makes her an example of Adult bullying.
Dealing with adult bullies
Bullies often do great harm to their victims. Bullying not only damages self-esteem and has an impact on mental health, but also adults who are bullied. high risk For health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. For the sake of your own health and the health of others, it is important to learn how to deal with bullying as an adult.
Dealing with bullying as the person being bullied
When you are being bullied, you must prioritize your safety and well-being. If possible, remove yourself from the situation and remove the bully from your life. In situations where you cannot avoid the bully, you should work to build a strong support system.
Some bullying behavior falls under criminal harassment, but unfortunately it is not illegal in many cases. Despite this, you should document any and all cases of bullying. If bullying escalates, you can include these documents in your police report or official complaint.
“Being the target of a bully can be very stressful. It can lead to suicidal or fatal thoughts. It is very important to be heard and articulate about the events that are taking place and your emotional reaction to them so that you feel comfortable, from your emotional state and the bullying.”
Dealing with bullying as an observer
If you witness bullying, do what you can to protect the victim. In cases where it is safe to do so, you may want to call out the bully or question their aggressive behavior. Many bullies will immediately retreat when faced with a group.
Even if you are not comfortable confronting the bully directly, you can reach out to the victim and let them know that they have your support. Walk with the victim, so it is difficult for the bully to find them alone. Tell them that you will support them or provide a witness statement if they choose to report the bully.
bullying at work
Workplace bullying is a very common type of adult bullying. If you are bullied at work, document all cases in detail. When you are targeted by a bully in the workplace, tell them that adult bullying behavior is not appropriate and that you will not tolerate it.
If the bullying continues, report the behavior to your supervisor or Human Resources. You may want to read company policies so you can clearly identify prohibited behaviors. Bullying can be costly to employers, which is why many companies have a zero-tolerance policy.
While reporting bullying often leads to a positive outcome, some workplaces will ignore the information. Don’t be afraid to escalate the situation. In extreme cases, you may want to consult an attorney to find out what legal options are available to you.
The impact of bullying on mental health as an adult
Bullying as an adult can cause severe distress. Many adults are victims of bullying experiencing symptoms Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Bullying can destroy someone’s confidence, making them anxious, paranoid, and tense.
While bullying obviously harms victims, it can also harm bystanders. People who witness workplace bullying It may be more likely to develop symptoms of depression. Bystanders may feel angry or upset if they fail to respond, and may fear that they will be targeted in the future.
Bullying can cause stress levels to rise dramatically, leading to a significant decrease in mental health. Stress can interfere with sleep It increases anxiety and irritability. These problems can persist even after the bullying has stopped.
“Bullying can have a lasting effect on our self-esteem and how we see the world long after the bullying events occur. Therapy can provide a safe space to deal with the thoughts and feelings that arise during that time.”
Seek professional help in case of bullying
If you are an adult victim of bullying, know that you are not alone. While bullying in adults is rarely discussed, research indicates that it is fairly common. In addition to workplace bullying, adults can be bullied online, harassed by a family member, or targeted by a friend, co-worker, or romantic partner.
Therapy can help you learn to deal with bullying as an adult. With the help of a mental health professional, you can work to rebuild your confidence and develop coping strategies. If you are being bullied, feel free to reach out and get the help you need to recover.
Sources:
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