Fear is a powerful emotion that can have a significant impact on our behavior. When you feel afraid, you may act in ways that are intended to protect you from the perceived threat. Unfortunately, this can sometimes lead to aggressive or bullying behavior.
We know that there is no valid reason for a bully to be a bully, but in my years of experience with therapy and the number of different people I’ve met through this. I have learned that there are a number of ways in which FEAR actually contributes to bullying:
1 . Fear can make you more likely to lash out in an attempt to defend yourself:
When you feel threatened, your natural instinct is to fight back or flee. This can sometimes result in you acting aggressively towards others, even if they are not actually a threat.
2. Fear can make you more likely to conform to the demands of a bully:
When you are afraid, you are more likely to go along with what someone else wants you to do. This can make it difficult to stand up to a bully, even if you don’t agree with their demands.
3. Fear can make you more likely to avoid situations where you might be bullied:
This can lead to you missing out on important opportunities or experiences. It can also make it harder to stand up to a bully when you do encounter one.
4. Fear is often associated with your feelings of insecurity and vulnerability:
When you feel insecure, you may try to compensate by trying to control or dominate others. This can manifest as bullying behavior.
5. Fear can lead to a feeling of powerlessness:
When you feel powerless, you may lash out in an attempt to regain a sense of control.
6. Fear can be a self-perpetuating emotion:
Once you start feeling afraid, you may become more sensitive to potential threats, leading to a further increase in fear.
Fear is a complex emotion that can have a variety of different effects on your behavior. In some cases, it can lead to bullying behavior. However, it is important to remember that you can choose how to respond to your fear.
There are actually a number of reasons why someone might become a bully, and fear is just one of the million reasons. In some cases, it may be due to a traumatic experience or witnessing violence in the home. Bullies may also have been the victims of bullying themselves. In some cases, bullying can be a learned behavior, passed down from older siblings or parents.
Whatever the reason, it’s important to remember that bullying is always a choice. No one is born a bully; it is a decision that is made, often out of a feeling of insecurity or powerlessness. Bullies may think that they are making themselves feel better by putting others down, but in reality, they are only perpetuating a cycle of violence and pain.
Bullying is a serious problem that can have lasting effects on both the victim and the bully. If you or someone you know is being bullied, it’s important to reach out for help. There are a number of resources available to both victims and bullies, and with the right support, it is possible to break the cycle of violence. Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, LLC is a diverse therapy clinic that can meet the needs of anyone. If you’d like to talk about your mental health, feel free to message us here. In case of emergency or thoughts of suicide, please click on this link: https://www.sprc.org/states/georgia
Reference:
Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). How a mindset of fear contributes to bullying. Psychology Today. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/promoting-empathy-your-teen/201305/how-mindset-fear-contributes-bullying
