Bullying in childhood adds to likelihood of mental illness later in life, British study says

From The Daily Mail in the UK:

Bullied children are up to four times as likely to develop psychotic symptoms by the time they enter their teens, a study claims May 1.

Symptoms included hallucinations, irrational thoughts and paranoid delusions such as believing they were being spied on.

Psychologists followed 6,437 children from birth until they were 13, assessing them through interviews, physical and psychological tests.

Of children interviewed at ages eight and ten, 13.7 per cent had suffered chronic peer victimisation, involving continued bullying for several years.

Severe victimisation, involving both physical and emotional bullying, was reported by 5.2 per cent of ten-year-olds.

The study found children who suffered physical or emotional bullying were twice as likely to develop psychotic symptoms by early adolescence as children who were not bullied.

However, if they experienced sustained bullying over a number of years they could be four times more at risk.

Study leader Professor Dieter Wolke, from the University of Warwick, said: 'This indicates that adverse social relationships with peers is a potent risk factor for developing psychotic symptoms in adolescence and may increase the risk of developing psychosis in adulthood.'

Professor Wolke, whose study appears in the Archives of General Psychiatry journal, added: 'All children have conflicts occasionally, and teasing and play-fighting occurs.

'When we talk about bullying victimisation, it is repeated, systematic and an abuse of power with the intent to hurt.

'Children who become targets have less coping skills, show a clear reaction and have few friends who can help them.'