Psychological Effects of Bullying: A Back-to-School Guide

The psychological effects of bullying can include anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, low self-esteem, school avoidance and, in serious cases, self-harm. Effects can show up in children who are bullied, children who bully and children who see it happen. Early, calm support from parents, schools and health professionals can make a real difference.

This back-to-school guide is for parents, caregivers, teachers and coaches of children and teens, and for older students who want to understand what they are going through. It explains what counts as bullying, how it affects mental health, signs to watch for, what to say, and when to get professional help.

What counts as bullying?

Bullying is repeated, unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived imbalance of power. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines bullying as unwanted aggressive behavior by another youth or group of youths that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance and is repeated or highly likely to be repeated.

The CDC describes several forms:

• Physical: hitting, kicking or tripping
• Verbal: name-calling and teasing
• Relational or social: spreading rumors or leaving someone out on purpose
• Property damage: breaking or taking belongings
• Electronic (cyberbullying): bullying through phones, social media, games or messages

A one-time argument between equals is usually conflict, not bullying. What makes bullying different is the pattern and the power gap.

What are the psychological effects of bullying?

The psychological effects of bullying range from everyday distress to serious mental health problems. The CDC states that bullying can cause social and emotional distress, self-harm and, in severe cases, death, and that it increases the risk of depression, anxiety and sleep difficulties.

Common effects include:

• Ongoing worry, fear or feeling unsafe at school
• Sadness, hopelessness or loss of interest in activities
• Low self-worth and self-blame
• Trouble falling or staying asleep, or nightmares
• Headaches and stomachaches
• Trouble concentrating and slipping grades
• Withdrawing from friends or activities

The CDC also notes that young people who both bully and are bullied face the most serious consequences, and that youth who bully others are at higher risk of later substance misuse and violence. Bullying affects everyone involved, which is why support is needed on all sides.

How common is bullying?

Bullying is common enough that most schools deal with it regularly. As of October 2026, the CDC bullying page reports that about 1 in 5 high school students said they were bullied on school property in the past year, and more than 1 in 6 reported electronic bullying, based on its Youth Risk Behavior Survey trends report for 2013–2023.

Numbers like these mean a child who is being bullied is not alone, and that asking about it directly is reasonable, even if your child has not mentioned anything.

What are the warning signs a child is being bullied?

Warning signs often show up as changes in behavior, health or belongings. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on HealthyChildren.org lists signs such as headaches or stomachaches, changes in eating, avoiding school, lower grades, unexplained injuries, lost or destroyed belongings, sleep trouble or nightmares, and a sudden loss of friends.

The AAP notes that these signs can have other causes, too. Any mention of self-harm or suicide needs urgent attention.

If your child is avoiding school, when your teen refuses school offers a step-by-step plan.

What should parents do? A step-by-step plan

Parents should start by listening calmly, then help the child feel safer and bring in the school if bullying continues. Steps to follow:

1. Listen without judgment. Thank your child for telling you. Avoid rushing to fix it or blaming them.
2. Get the facts. Ask what happened, when, where and who was involved. Write it down with dates.
3. Save evidence of cyberbullying. Take screenshots of messages and posts before they disappear.
4. Practice responses. The AAP suggests a "stop-walk-talk" approach: say stop in a firm voice, walk away and tell a trusted adult.
5. Contact the school. If it continues, talk with a teacher, counselor or principal and ask how the school handles reports.
6. Avoid confronting the other family yourself as a first step.
7. Check in often. Ask how things are going and watch for changes in mood or sleep.
8. Involve a health professional if distress lasts or worsens.

What should you say to a child who is being bullied?

Say that it is not their fault, that you believe them, and that you will help. The AAP recommends reassuring children that telling an adult is not tattling and listening with love before trying to solve the problem.

Phrases that can help:

• "Thank you for telling me. I am glad you did."
• "This is not your fault. Nobody deserves to be treated like that."
• "You are not in trouble. We will figure this out together."
• "What would help you feel safer at school right now?"
• "Telling a teacher is not tattling. It is getting help."
• "If it happens again, come find me or another adult you trust."

If your child is the one bullying others, stay calm, set clear expectations, and ask what is going on for them. Children who bully often need support, too, and a pediatrician or therapist can help you understand what is behind the behavior.

How can bystanders, families and schools prevent bullying?

Bullying is less likely when bystanders speak up, adults keep communication open and schools teach social and emotional skills. The CDC encourages bystanders to become "upstanders" by intervening, interrupting or speaking up, and notes that school-based programs that strengthen young people's interpersonal and emotional skills can help reduce bullying.

Ways families can help, at home and around school:

• Keep talking. Ask about friends, lunch, recess, the bus and online life as part of everyday conversation, not only when something is wrong.
• Build confidence. Encourage activities your child enjoys and is good at, where they can find friends outside their class.
• Teach safe upstanding. Talk about simple ways to help a classmate, such as walking away with them or telling an adult.
• Model respect. Children notice how adults talk about others, online and offline.
• Set screen expectations. Agree on where devices are used and what to do if a message feels hurtful.

These steps will not prevent every incident, but they make it more likely your child will tell you early, when problems are easier to address.

When should you get professional help?

Get professional help if your child's distress lasts for weeks, affects school or sleep, or includes any talk of self-harm. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) suggests seeking help when behaviors last weeks or longer and cause distress, starting with your child's pediatrician.

Get help right away if your child:

• Talks about suicide, self-harm or wanting to disappear
• Refuses to go to school for days
• Stops eating or sleeping
• Seems deeply hopeless or withdrawn
• Has been physically hurt or threatened

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential and available 24/7 by call, text or chat. Call 911 for immediate danger.

How can therapy help after bullying?

Therapy can help a child process what happened, rebuild confidence and manage anxiety or low mood. The CDC notes that cognitive behavioral therapy is used to treat anxiety and depression in children, and that the first step is talking with a health care provider.

A therapist can teach coping and assertiveness skills, work on negative beliefs a child may have absorbed, and help parents support their child at home and with the school. For teens, therapy can also be a private space to talk about things that feel too embarrassing to share with a parent at first, such as online harassment.

Not sure where to start? Pediatrician, therapist or psychiatric evaluation? explains the options, and is my teen going through a phase or depression? helps with mood changes.

What should Texas families know?

Texas families can get help through schools, local mental health authorities and community resources. As of October 2026, Texas Health and Human Services lists a 24/7 crisis line for the local mental health authority that serves each Texas county.

Each Texas school district and campus has its own process for reporting and responding to bullying; ask your child's school counselor or principal how it works. Laws on bullying and cyberbullying vary by state. 2-1-1 Texas can connect families to local counseling options.

Getting support in Texas

Lyte Psychiatry offers therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication management in Texas. In-person visits are available at Lyte Psychiatry's clinic in Pantego, in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Lyte Psychiatry offers telehealth visits to patients who are physically located in Texas at the time of the visit.

Most new patients are seen within 1–2 business days. Weekend appointments are limited. All Lyte Psychiatry services are available in Spanish. Availability for your child's age, insurance and clinician fit require confirmation. Learn more about therapy and anxiety care.

Lyte Psychiatry is an outpatient practice. It does not provide inpatient care, crisis or after-hours coverage, medically supervised detox, or intensive outpatient or partial hospitalization programs.

If you are in a mental-health crisis in the United States, call or text 988. Call 911 for immediate danger.

Educational information, not a diagnosis or individual treatment plan.