October is National Bullying Prevention Month, the ideal time to reflect on the hidden scars left by bullying – especially in young men. We often dismiss bullying as a natural part of growing up, and some even believe it builds character. However, the truth is far more serious. Evidence suggests bullying during adolescence can lead to lasting psychological harm, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders.
At PACE Recovery, we exclusively work with young men affected by traumatic, adverse life experiences that have led to issues like addiction or derailed promising academic careers. For many of our clients, bullying was the spark that triggered years of pain, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Types of Bullying
While the media typically depict bullying as physical intimidation or stealing someone’s school lunch money, any pattern of behavior intended to hurt, humiliate or control a person perceived as vulnerable or different can leave psychological scars. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to its effects, since they are in a formative period for developing self-identity and social belonging.
Bullying can take many forms.
- Verbal: Insults, slurs, threats or cruel teasing
- Physical: Hitting, pushing or damaging someone’s belongings
- Relational: Social exclusion, rumor-spreading or manipulating relationships
- Cyberbullying: Harassment through text messages, social media or other digital platforms
Even subtle actions like ignoring or consistently excluding someone can have a noticeable psychological impact when repeated over time.
How Bullying Affects the Developing Brain and Has Long-Term Consequences
Adolescence is a critical window for brain development. Chronic stress from bullying can activate the brain’s fear center and disrupt emotional regulation in the prefrontal cortex. This neurological dysregulation can lead to persistent problems with mood, memory self-esteem, and decision-making. Over time, these issues set the stage for mental health issues that persist into adulthood.
Experiencing bullying as a teen can significantly increase the risk of:
- Major depressive disorder
- Social anxiety and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Self-harm or suicidal ideation
- Alcohol and drug use disorders
Breaking the Silence
Many young men who habitually suppress their emotions or try to “tough it out” start using drugs or alcohol to escape the shame, fear and distress caused by years of bullying. Unfortunately, self-medicating will only make the problem worse by perpetuating the cycle of addiction.
You may not be in high school or college anymore, but the pain doesn’t magically go away after leaving a harmful situation. If you find yourself unable to overcome what happened to you and still feel the effects, it’s not too late to heal.
How PACE Recovery Can Help
There’s no weakness in admitting pain – only courage in working to overcome it. We specialize in helping young men unpack the experiences that led to addiction, depression and emotional disengagement. Whether you’ve survived bullying, academic pressure, trauma, adoption issues or something else, our clinicians are here to help you find your voice and reconnect with your worth.
We offer trauma-informed therapy, dual-diagnosis care and a supportive male-only environment that empowers you to rewrite your story. If you’re still carrying the weight of bullying, reach out today and begin your path to lasting healing.