TUESDAY, Dec. 4 (HealthDay News) -- Bullied teenagers can
develop post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, according to a
new study. The findings suggest that victims of bullying may
require long-term support, said the researchers from the
University of Stavanger in Norway. They looked at almost 1,000
teens, ages 14 and 15, and found that one-third of those who
said they had been bullied had post-traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) symptoms, such as intrusive memories and avoidance
behavior. Those with the worst symptoms were bullying victims
who also bullied others. The researchers also found that girls
were more likely to have PTSD symptoms than boys. The study was
published recently in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology.
The findings are "noteworthy, but nevertheless unsurprising,"
study author and psychologist Thormod Idsoe said in a university
news release. "Bullying is defined as long-term physical or
mental violence by an individual or a group," he explained.
"It's directed at a person who's not abl