[Mind] Games

Types of Bullying and How They Differ

 Throughout our lives we have all been either been subject to bullying, observed someone being bullied, or have been the bully ourselves. There are many different levels of bullying and in the most extreme cases it can even cause the target to kill themselves. Ever wondered why bullies act the way they do? What triggers a bully to pick on their target? Why is it that bullies find the need to inflict physical or mental pain on their victims?

Bullying is a form of abuse. It involves repeated acts over time attempting to create or enforce one person's (or group's) power over another person (or group). The victim of bullying is sometimes referred to as a target. The reasons why most bullies feel the need to attack their target trace back to the insecurities of the bully and the problems going on in the bullies mind. It might be expected that bullies show no response when they witness pain in somebody else signaling that they are emotionally cold. However, researchers have discovered that bullies brains are wired to feel pleasure when watching others being hurt. In other words gaining pleasure from watching other suffer. Sounds twisted, right? In addition to revealing activity in pleasure and pain related areas of the brain, a portion of the brain that helps regulate emotion is inactive in bullies. Other bullies, when inflicting physical pain on their victims turn off the switch in their minds that tells them it's not right.
    
Bullies often suffer from social and emotional problems. The Bullies play mind games with themselves, making themselves think that by bringing unhappiness to someone else's life all of their own problems will fade away. The truth of the matter is that this isn't possible. Sooner or later it is necessary for the bully to stop this mind game, come to terms with his or her problems, and find a proper solution.

Why do bullies.... bully?

 A majority of people bully due to their mental state. They either have some problem in their way of thinking or mindset, or have some social insecurity. They like to be rude and rebellious towards others. Jealousy is also one of the major reasons why people bully. They try to punish and hurt others whom they are jealous about for various or even a single reason. Bullying provides people with a sense of power. The bully is feared, but no one wants to be on their bad side so along with this power comes popularity and high social status.

Effects on the Bullied 

Mental and emotional bullying can make the victim feel worthless and weak. The target begins to believe that the horrible things being said about them are true. These feelings can potentially evolve into self hatred. Bullying can cause children to experience fear, depression, loneliness, anxiety, low self-esteem, physical illness, and in some cases, even suicidal thoughts. Many victims become mentally unstable and turn to things such as suicide because they are not in the right state of mind. children who are bullied are more likely to engage in behaviors such as smoking, drinking, dropping out of school, and stealing. Some people who are bullied are mentally and emotionally scarred for the rest of their lives.