A recent article in the Salisbury Post shed light on the epidemic of bullying, and also the traumatic effect bullying can have on a child. If a victim of bullying feels isolated, or has no method to reach out for support, or has no way to defend themselves – whether psychologically or physically – they may begin to exhibit symptoms of trauma. As one therapist pointed out in the article, EMDR can be used to help children cope with the trauma they experienced as a result of bullying.
The effects of bullying can sometimes lead to PTSD symptoms, and in other cases the perpetuation of abuse onto other victims. In my own experience in practicing EMDR with adult clients who exhibited PTSD symptoms, I have found that dysfunctions in their current adult life can often be traced back to a bullying experience as a child, demonstrating the long lasting effects that bullying can have on a person.
Children who are victims of bullying require an ecosystem of support for creating a safe environment from bullying. The first step is taking preventative measures to educate teachers, parents, and students about the traumatic effects of bullying. The second component is bringing awareness to school counselors, teachers, and parents of how EMDR fits in as a resource for healing trauma as a part of that ecosystem of support.
Click HERE for to read the article from Salisbury Post:
http://www.salisburypost.com/News/052311-Anti-bullying-event-qcd