Dost people experience bullying in their lifetime. Unfortunately, for some, the experience is so severe that it leads to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues that last long after the bullying ends.
Progressive repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (PrTMS) is a treatment option that helps people affected by trauma and PTSD. A survey from PeakLogic completed by 56 patients who underwent PrTMS therapy showed a marked decrease in symptoms throughout treatment.
The Impact of Bullying on Mental Health
It’s no secret that bullying can have a lasting effect on its victims. What may surprise you, however, is just how long those effects can last. According to recent studies, bullying can lead to long-term trauma and even PTSD.
Traumatic experiences can have a lasting impact on our lives, affecting our relationships, mental and physical health, and overall well-being. Childhood bullying is one type of trauma that can have far-reaching consequences.
Studies have shown that adults who were bullied as children are more likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They are also at increased risk for substance abuse and self-harm.
In addition, adults who were bullied as kids are more likely to have difficulty trusting others and forming close relationships. If you or someone you know was bullied as a child, it’s important to seek professional help to address the lingering effects of trauma. With treatment, it is possible to heal past wounds and move forward in life.
Adult bullying is more common than people think
While we often think of bullying as a childhood issue, it can also occur in adulthood. Adult bullying can take many forms, including verbal abuse, emotional manipulation, and workplace harassment. Adult bullying, like childhood bullying, can have a long-term negative influence on mental health. Adults who have been bullied are more likely to suffer from anxiety, sadness, and post-traumatic stress disorder. They may also be affected by substance abuse, eating issues, and self-harm.
Research has shown that people who were bullied as children are more likely to suffer from psychiatric issues as adults. This is partly because bullying can cause long-term changes in the brain. Adult victims of bullying tend not to speak up because they feel ashamed or fear retaliation. As a result, victims of bullying often suffer from anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. They may feel alone and isolated and struggle to concentrate in school or work. In severe cases, bullying can lead to suicide.
How to cope with the effects of bullying
If you’re struggling with the effects of bullying, know that you’re not alone. Many people may not even be aware that the symptoms they’re experiencing today may be related to the bullying they experienced.
Some signs of unhealed trauma and PTSD may include:
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Re-experiencing the event through flashbacks or nightmares
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Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected from others
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Having difficulty concentrating or focusing
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Being constantly on guard or feeling jumpy
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Experiencing severe mood swings or feelings of anxiety or depression
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Avoiding people, places, or activities that remind you of the event
Since all trauma experiences are unique, there is no one size fits all approach to healing from it. Some find it helpful to write about what happened. Journaling or writing about your experiences can help you process them in a healthy way. Many people seek out support groups: There are often groups available to help people dealing with similar issues. This can provide some much-needed support and understanding.
However, If you are struggling with any of these symptoms- especially if they are severe enough to impact your day-to-day functioning, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Many options are available to help you heal and start living a healthy, happy life again. Along with traditional therapy, PrTMS is one option that is showing great promise in helping people heal from PTSD.
PrTMS is a new treatment option for bullying-related trauma
PrTMS stands for “Precision Targeted Magnetic Stimulation” and is a non-invasive procedure. The treatment involves using magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain. PrTMS has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
How trauma affects the brain
Trauma can have a profound effect on the brain. The most obvious impact is usually seen in people who have sustained a physical injury to the head, which can cause problems with memory, concentration, and other cognitive functions. However, psychological trauma can also cause changes in the brain. You may have heard of heart arrhythmia, an irregular heartbeat. A brain arrhythmia is an irregular or disrupted brainwave pattern.
These disruptions cause symptoms that people can see. Arrhythmia is when the brain waves are not steady. It is believed that these disrupted brainwaves might be the reason for many mental health symptoms we see with depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, sleep disorders, migraine, addiction, ADD/ADHD, autism, and more.
There are millions of Americans with mental and physical health problems that affect their brain function. These people only receive treatments that help them manage their symptoms but do not cure their underlying condition. PrTMS is designed to treat the source, not just the symptoms- with a unique treatment plan for each patient.
How PrTMS works to relieve trauma symptoms
While traditional therapy can be helpful for some people, others may find it difficult to open up about their experiences. Unlike traditional methods like medication and therapy, PrTMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate regions of the brain that are associated with trauma. The theory is that by stimulating these regions, the brain can begin to heal itself and reduce trauma symptoms.
The treatment is non-invasive and does not require any surgery. It lasts an average of four to eight weeks, with treatments five days a week, typically Monday through Friday. Studies have shown that PrTMS can reduce anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms. If you are struggling to cope with the aftermath of a traumatic event, and other traditional treatment methods have not worked for you, PrTMS may be a treatment worth considering.
If you’re interested in learning more about how PrTMS can help you with mental health symptoms related to unhealed trauma, contact Serene Health. Along with Mindset PrTMS by Serene Health, we offer a wide variety of behavioral health and mental health services as well as online appointments through our Telehealth platform, where you can speak to a therapist from the location of your choice.
Call us at 844-737-3638 or visit www.serenehealth.com for more information or to book an appointment.