Some jesting and criticising is a part of human nature. Even light-hearted teasing can be acceptable if it is only for a few moments. Unfortunately, bullying is a form of emotional weakness and causes much mental suffering. Fortunately, help can be obtained. http://www.centreforhumanpotential.com.au

1. Let’s Beat the Bully Brigade
What is a bully? A dictionary search for ‘bully’ produces various results such as ‘intimidator’, ‘terroriser’,
‘persecutor’ and ‘harasser’. However, the most fitting name for a bully might be ‘tormentor’, because
that is what bullies do best—they torment.
No country escapes its bullies, including Australia. In Queensland, counselling Brisbane psychologists
provide professional help for those whose lives have been affected by bully tactics and they assist bullies
who require psychological help in order to change their behaviour.
Bullies are found everywhere and in every age group. Even children as young as three years old have
been recognised as bullies. Are they born or have they acquired their aggressive natures due to being
raised in a dysfunctional family or similar environment? The ‘nature’ or ‘nurture’ schools of thought
have long been debated, yet psychologists have never been able to reach a satisfactory conclusion.
Nevertheless, there is agreement that bullying can be the result of both hereditary and environmental
influences.
School bullies usually select ‘victims’ who are younger, smaller or mentally weaker than themselves.
Bullying doesn’t just involve physical contact. Children, as well as adults, also suffer from verbal and
emotional bullying. An obese child might be the target of taunts and jokes. However, bullies can use any
other reason to justify their actions. Schoolyards are generally the breeding grounds where bullies
practice their bullying tactics. Sometimes, they group together to act out their aggressive behaviour.
Their strength in numbers makes it easier to achieve greater success in humiliating their target.
Children who bully in their earlier years manage to grow out of their aggressiveness by the time they
reach high school. However, those who still remain bullies will often carry their forceful styles into their
working environment and, unfortunately, into their family life. The chances are that their wives and
their own children will suffer and those very children who are bullied by their parents might themselves
become bullies This unfortunate cycle could become a never-ending vicious circle if it is not
appropriately treated.
Workplace bullying is also more commonplace than one might imagine. Unlike children who sometimes
resort to physical bullying, workers might use their authority to bully a subordinate.
An office or factory employee can be bullied for any reason. Sometimes it is so subtle that other
colleagues might not notice except for the person being bullied. Some people who feel they are being
victimised eventually contact a psychologist Brisbane to request advice regarding their individual
situation.
Other more subtle forms of bullying can include a more passive aggressive behaviour. If a chairperson
continually ignores a colleague in a boardroom this creates a feeling of victimisation. Other forms of

2. bullying might involve continuous criticism or forcing an unfair amount of work on someone who
obviously cannot cope with the extra load. Destroying colleagues’ reputations by gossiping or lying
about them is also a humiliating experience that might require professional help. All forms of bullying
create great distress but help is at hand if the ‘victim’ is unable to cope with the situation.
http://www.centreforhumanpotential.com.au