Bullying can occur in nearly any part in or around the school building, although it may occur more frequently during physical education classes and activities such as recess.
Bullying also takes place in school hallways, bathrooms, on school buses and while waiting for buses, and in classes that require group work and/or after school activities.
Bullying in school sometimes consists of a group of students taking advantage of or isolating one student in particular and gaining the loyalty of bystanders who want to avoid becoming the next target.
Being a bystander can produce feelings of anger, fear, guilt, and sadness ….
bystanders who witness repeated victimization of peers can experience negative effects similar to the victimized children themselves.
Unless action is taken, a culture of bullying is often perpetuated within a group for months, years, or longer.
A victim, in the short term, may feel depressed, anxious, angry, have excessive stress, learned helplessness, feel as though their life has fallen apart, have a significant drop in school performance, or may commit suicide (bullycide).
In the long term, they may feel insecure, lack trust, exhibit extreme sensitivity, or develop a mental illness such as psychopathy, avoidant personality disorder or PTSD.
They may also desire vengeance, sometimes leading them to torment others in return.
Anxiety, depression and psychosomatic symptoms are common among both bullies and their victims. Among these participants alcohol and substance abuse is commonly seen later on in life.
It is know that people suffering from depression feels much better when they talk to other about it, however bullying victims are affected from depression the most.
This is because the fear of being bullying stops them from talking to other about their feelings which worsen their depression.
While most bullies, in the long term, grow to be emotionally functional adults, many have an increased risk of developing antisocial personality disorder, which is linked with increased risk of committing criminal acts.