TL;DR
Cyberbullying can have a powerful impact on mental health because it is constant, public, and difficult to escape. Like traditional bullying, it increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms, but its 24/7 nature can intensify emotional distress.
Repeated exposure to bullying can also affect brain function, increasing stress responses, hypervigilance, and negative thinking patterns over time. The good news is that with early support, strong relationships, and a personalized, whole-body approach to care, healing and recovery are possible.
Medically reviewed by Kandace Licciardi, MD, Medical Director, Amen Clinics
Has your teen or child ever been targeted online? Or have you experienced cyberbullying yourself? It’s heartbreaking to watch it happen to someone you love, and truly harrowing to go through it firsthand.
The stress-inducing sound of notifications. Piercing comments. A feeling that there’s no escape. It makes you wonder: how does cyberbullying affect mental health?
Bullying experiences, especially early in life, help shape how we move through the world. Both bullying and cyberbullying are linked to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, often disrupting emotional well-being long after the experience ends. Research consistently shows that repeated social harm, whether in person or online, can change how you think, feel, and respond to the world around you.
Cyberbullying extends this stress into the digital space, where harmful interactions can feel constant and inescapable. The impacts can vary depending on personal, biological, and environmental factors.
This blog will take a closer look at what’s really happening beneath the surface emotionally, mentally, and even in the brain as a result of bullying, along with supportive research-backed ways for you or your child to start feeling better again.
Unlike in-person bullying, which is usually limited to specific environments such as school or work, cyberbullying is uniquely pervasive. It extends beyond a single setting, following individuals across multiple digital platforms and into spaces that might normally feel safe.
Bullying affects mental health by increasing chronic stress, lowering self-esteem, and contributing to anxiety, depression, and trauma-related symptoms.
To fully explore the effects of cyberbullying on mental health, it helps to first understand the broader impact of bullying.
Repeated exposure to negative social interactions can trigger persistent fear, emotional dysregulation, shame, and social withdrawal. In fact, a large meta-analysis in JAMA Psychiatry found that bullying victimization is strongly associated with increased risk of anxiety and depressive disorders.
This can actually make people become hypervigilant by constantly scanning for threats, and increases struggles with concentration and decision-making.
Another longitudinal study published in The Lancet Psychiatry found that children who were bullied were nearly five times more likely to experience anxiety and almost twice as likely to report depression and self-harm by young adulthood.
Neurodevelopmental research published in Molecular Psychiatry suggests that chronic peer victimization is associated with changes in brain development. This can happen particularly in regions involved in emotional processing and stress regulation, which increases vulnerability to anxiety.
Over time, these experiences can reshape how you or your child interpret social cues and turn everyday interactions with others into deep sources of stress rather than connection.
Related: 7 Warning Signs That Your Child Is a Bully and What to Do About It
Unlike in-person bullying, which is usually limited to specific environments such as school or work, cyberbullying is uniquely pervasive. It extends beyond a single setting, following individuals across multiple digital platforms and into spaces that might normally feel safe
Because online interactions are continuous and difficult to escape, harmful messages, comments, and posts can be encountered repeatedly. This ongoing exposure can intensify distress and contribute to a cycle of repeated emotional harm.
Here are some of the ways in which cyberbullying harms mental health:
Cyberbullying can occur at any time, making it difficult for you or your child to find relief. A 2020 study showed that ongoing exposure to cyberbullying and online hostility is associated with increased stress and emotional strain over time. Without clear breaks from the bullying, the nervous system can remain in a prolonged state of alert.
Online platforms amplify visibility, meaning harmful messages may be witnessed by large audiences. A 2021 study showed public humiliation is often associated with increased depressive symptoms and social anxiety.
Online content can spread rapidly, sometimes beyond the original context. This unpredictability may intensify those feelings of losing control and helplessness, which have been linked to higher psychological distress.
Unlike physical bullying, which may be limited to certain locations, cyberbullying can follow you or a loved one home. This lack of escape or relief contributes to prolonged stress responses and emotional fatigue that feeds into self-isolation and social anxiety.
Social media environments can heighten comparison and self-criticism. Research in Frontiers in Psychology links cyberbullying exposure to increased negative self-perception and lowered self-esteem. In many cases, the emotional symptoms overlap with traditional bullying but still require attention.
Victims of cyberbullying often report difficulty sleeping, which can worsen mood regulation. A 2021 study found a strong association between online harassment and insomnia symptoms.
Persistent online threats can elevate baseline anxiety levels. That’s because there’s a direct link between cybervictimization and generalized anxiety symptoms.
People who are bullied may withdraw from both online and offline interactions, which can reinforce isolation and reduce access to supportive relationships.
Repeatedly replaying negative experiences is common. A 2020 study found that rumination mediates the relationship between cyberbullying and depressive symptoms.
The question of how bullying affects your mental health long-term doesn’t have a single answer; however, research suggests that repeated exposure may increase vulnerability to ongoing emotional challenges. Long-term effects may include:
A 2024 longitudinal study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that adults bullied in childhood were more likely to develop anxiety disorders and depression later in life. Similarly, research links bullying to increased risk-taking behaviors and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.
On a more positive note, these outcomes are not inevitable. Protective factors, such as strong support systems and early intervention can significantly influence the trajectory of recovery for you or your child.
Social rejection activates brain regions similar to those involved when you experience physical pain. A study in Scientific Reports found that the anterior cingulate cortex becomes active during experiences of social exclusion.
That can lead to chronic stress from bullying, which elevates cortisol levels, affecting memory, mood regulation, and immune function. Research indicates that prolonged stress exposure is associated with changes in brain structure and increased mental health risk.
In addition, imaging studies show that the amygdala, responsible for processing fear, may become more reactive, while the prefrontal cortex, which supports decision-making and emotional regulation, may become less effective under chronic stress. These patterns can contribute to hypervigilance, making you or your child more sensitive to perceived threats. Over time, these brain-based adaptations shape how someone experiences the world physically, emotionally, and mentally.
Mental health conditions are not character flaws or moral failures. They are complex responses shaped by our biology, environment, and lived experiences with multiple factors at play. When an individual is more vulnerable to mental health conditions, bullying is a greater threat to their well-being.
Genetic predispositions can influence how individuals respond to stress. Research in Scientific Reports suggests that certain gene variants may increase sensitivity to social stressors.
If you or your loved one has had exposure to trauma in the past, that may amplify your responses to bullying because cumulative stress can intensify emotional reactions, no matter how long it’s been since the initial bullying.
Strong social support can buffer against the negative outcomes of bullying. A 2024 meta-analysis in the Journal of Child and Family Studies found that supportive relationships can reduce the impact of bullying on mental health in adolescence and severity of the effects in adulthood.
Brain imaging research suggests that people who’ve been bullied process stress differently depending on neural activity patterns, a concept emphasized in Amen Clinics’ work.
Resilience varies and can be developed. Research from the Journal of Affective Disorders highlights that coping skills and environment play a role in resilience outcomes through adolescence.
Yes. Bullying is associated with an increased risk of anxiety and depression, though not everyone develops a clinical condition. That’s why early intervention and support can make a meaningful difference. Recovery is possible. With the right support, coping strategies, and emotionally safe environments, you or your child can rebuild confidence and regain a sense of emotional stability.
Recognizing the signs early also creates more opportunities to address underlying stress before it develops into more persistent mental health challenges in the future.
Related: The #1 Reason Why Troubled Teen Programs Don’t Work
Reaching out for help can feel overwhelming, especially if it is for your child or teen.
Recognizing that bullying has taken a toll on a child’s mental health can be painful. Some may struggle to accept that their child is suffering, especially if it brings up feelings of guilt, self-blame, or fears that they somehow failed to protect them.
That emotional response can sometimes make it harder to recognize the extent of a child’s struggles or seek help. Yet, seeking help can also be a pivotal moment in healing. Consider seeking professional support if you notice:
Amen Clinics’ comprehensive evaluation takes a whole-body approach that looks closely at brain function, lifestyles habits, and biological factors that all contribute to brain and mental health. This can go a long way when dealing with the numerous stress effects of bullying to you or your child’s brain, nervous system, and body.
Traditional methods rely on symptoms only for diagnosis, usually followed with prescription medication for treatment. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, our approach emphasizes identifying root causes.
Our comprehensive evaluation starts with brain SPECT imaging, which is used to assess patterns of blood flow and brain activity. This allows our clinicians to connect underlying brain dysfunction with symptom clusters.
Depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health conditions are not just one thing and treatment for them is not one-size-fits-all. For example, our database of close to 300,000 SPECT scans has revealed nuanced brain patterns associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety.
In fact, our work has identified seven types of anxiety and depression, each with different brain patterns linked to different clusters of symptoms, and requiring a different method of treatment to optimize the brain.
In addition to brain SPECT imaging, our clinicians take a detailed personal history and administer neuropsychological testing to get a clear understanding of the whole person and help rule out biological factors. Additional labs may be needed as well.
Together, this data helps our clinicians to practice precision medicine by making more accurate diagnoses and targeting treatment plans to a patient’s unique needs.
Emerging research in neuroimaging supports the value of personalized approaches in improving mental health outcomes. Symptom-based therapy and medication-first models can be helpful, but they may not always address individual differences in brain function.
Embracing holistic psychiatry, Amen Clinics treatment combines cutting-edge neuroscience with natural ways to treat mental health conditions. Individualized plans take an integrative approach and may include a combination of any or all of the following:
If you or someone you love has suffered from cyberbullying, our methods and can address both the brain and body effects of the stressful event, treating root causes, and helping to restore balance and well-being.
Recovery from cyberbullying may require several steps, but it is possible. Here are several methods proven to be helpful:
CBT can help reframe negative thought patterns. A 2021 study suggests that CBT can be effective in reducing anxiety and other stress-related mental health disorders.
Approaches like a combination of trauma-focused therapy and CBT can help process distressing experiences and show positive outcomes when paired with consistent support, personalized care, and a safe, structured environment.
Supportive family environments can reduce emotional distress and improve recovery in both short-term and long-term healing.
Anti-bullying programs have been shown to reduce bullying victimization by about 16 percent and reduce bullying perpetration outcomes by nearly 19 percent, according to a large meta-analysis of school-based intervention programs.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques, like journaling and meditation, can help regulate the nervous system and reduce stress with better coping habits.
Improving sleep hygiene is linked to better emotional regulation and mood.
Balanced, brain-healthy nutrition supports brain function and mood stability. Focus on adding more whole foods and beverages to your diet like fresh and unsweetened sparkling water, colorful fruits and vegetables, legumes, healthy fats (avocados, nuts and seeds, olive oil, etc.), lean protein, and fermented foods. Avoid or minimize processed foods, too many saturated fats, refined carbohydrates, and high-sugar foods.
Research in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found that regular physical activity is associated with reduced depressive symptoms.
Limiting your exposure to social media and creating safe online habits can dramatically reduce stress over time for you or your child or teen. According to a recent study in Frontiers in Human Dynamics, digital detox strategies can improve well-being and social connectedness.
The support you provide to your child or teen doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s most important that the support be consistent.
Some support strategies can even become a ritual you and your child or teen can look forward to doing together.
Here are some important actions and support strategies to follow:
Also, don’t forget to check in with them and learn how they communicate so you can become more aware of any changes in their mood, emotions, or habits.
Not all emotional responses to bullying are the same and not all anxiety signals trauma. Biological, psychological, and social factors all play a role here, so it’s important to make the treatment plan work for you.
That’s why effective treatment focuses on the individual with precision medicine. A personalized plan considers brain function, life experiences, and current stressors moving beyond one-size-fits-all solutions toward care that actually fits.
Bullying and cyberbullying can leave real emotional and neurological imprints, but they don’t define the future. With early support, personalized care, and attention to brain health, recovery is possible.
If bullying or cyberbullying is affecting you or your child, consider speaking with a qualified mental health professional who can assess both emotional and brain health factors.
Bullying can increase stress, anxiety, and depression by creating a persistent sense of fear or rejection. In-person bullying often involves direct interactions, while cyberbullying extends these experiences into digital spaces. Both forms can disrupt emotional regulation and self-esteem over time.
Cyberbullying can intensify emotional distress due to constant exposure and public visibility. It is linked to anxiety, sleep disruption, and rumination. The digital environment can make it harder to disconnect and recover.
In some cases, repeated bullying may contribute to trauma-related symptoms. This can include hypervigilance, avoidance, and emotional distress. However, outcomes vary widely and early support can help reduce long-term effects.
Parents should listen openly, validate feelings, and take their children’s concerns seriously. Documenting incidents and involving schools may also help. Encouraging supportive relationships and limiting harmful online exposure can make a difference. Support from a qualified mental health professional can help your child heal from the trauma of bullying.
Research suggests that chronic stress from bullying may affect brain regions involved in emotion and stress regulation. These changes are often adaptive responses to stress. With the right support, the brain can also adapt in positive ways.
von Humboldt, S., Low, G., & Leal, I. (2025). From Words to Wounds: Cyberbullying and Its Influence on Mental Health Across the Lifespan. Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland), 15(5), 619. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15050619
Singham T, Viding E, Schoeler T, et al. Concurrent and Longitudinal Contribution of Exposure to Bullying in Childhood to Mental Health: The Role of Vulnerability and Resilience. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017;74(11):1112–1119. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.2678
Lereya, S. T., Copeland, W. E., Costello, E. J., & Wolke, D. (2015). Adult mental health consequences of peer bullying and maltreatment in childhood: two cohorts in two countries. The lancet. Psychiatry, 2(6), 524–531. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(15)00165-0
Quinlan, E.B., Barker, E.D., Luo, Q. et al. Peer victimization and its impact on adolescent brain development and psychopathology. Mol Psychiatry 25, 3066–3076 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-018-0297-9
Alhujailli, A., Karwowski, W., Wan, T. T. H., & Hancock, P. (2020). Affective and Stress Consequences of Cyberbullying. Symmetry, 12(9), 1536. https://doi.org/10.3390/sym12091536
Nikolić, M., Hannigan, L. J., Krebs, G., Sterne, A., Gregory, A. M., & Eley, T. C. (2022). Aetiology of shame and its association with adolescent depression and anxiety: results from a prospective twin and sibling study. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines, 63(1), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13465
Bansal, S., Garg, N., Singh, J., & Van Der Walt, F. (2024). Cyberbullying and mental health: past, present and future. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 1279234. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1279234
Kwon, M., Seo, Y. S., Nickerson, A. B., Dickerson, S. S., Park, E., & Livingston, J. A. (2020). Sleep Quality as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Cyber Victimization and Depression. Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 52(4), 416–425. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12569
Naslund, J. A., Bondre, A., Torous, J., & Aschbrenner, K. A. (2020). Social Media and Mental Health: Benefits, Risks, and Opportunities for Research and Practice. Journal of technology in behavioral science, 5(3), 245–257. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41347-020-00134-x
Liu, C., Liu, Z., & Yuan, G. (2020). The longitudinal influence of cyberbullying victimization on depression and posttraumatic stress symptoms: The mediation role of rumination. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 34(4), 206–210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2020.05.002
Blanchflower, D. G., & Bryson, A. (2024). The adult consequences of being bullied in childhood. Social Science & Medicine, 345, 116690. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116690
Poon K. (2016). Understanding Risk-taking Behavior in Bullies, Victims, and Bully Victims Using Cognitive- and Emotion-Focused Approaches. Frontiers in psychology, 7, 1838. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01838
Perini, I., Gustafsson, P.A., Hamilton, J.P. et al. The salience of self, not social pain, is encoded by dorsal anterior cingulate and insula. Sci Rep 8, 6165 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-24658-8
McEwen B. S. (2017). Neurobiological and Systemic Effects of Chronic Stress. Chronic stress (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), 1, 2470547017692328. https://doi.org/10.1177/2470547017692328
Tottenham, N., & Galván, A. (2016). Stress and the adolescent brain: Amygdala-prefrontal cortex circuitry and ventral striatum as developmental targets. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews, 70, 217–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2016.07.030
Procyshyn, T.L., Leclerc Bédard, LA., Crespi, B.J. et al. CD38 genetic variation is associated with increased personal distress to an emotional stimulus. Sci Rep 14, 2571 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53081-5
Healy, K.L., Scott, J.G. & Thomas, H.J. The Protective Role of Supportive Relationships in Mitigating Bullying Victimization and Psychological Distress in Adolescents. J Child Fam Stud 33, 3211–3228 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02891-2
Liu, Y., Xiong, Y., Gao, T., Li, S., & Ren, P. (2023). A person-centered approach to resilience against bullying victimization in adolescence: Predictions from teacher support and peer support. Journal of Affective Disorders, 341, 154–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.08.089
Williams, L.M., Whitfield Gabrieli, S. Neuroimaging for precision medicine in psychiatry.Neuropsychopharmacol. 50, 246–257 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-024-01917-z
Curtiss, J. E., Levine, D. S., Ander, I., & Baker, A. W. (2021). Cognitive-Behavioral Treatments for Anxiety and Stress-Related Disorders. Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing), 19(2), 184–189. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20200045
Gaffney, H., Ttofi, M. M., & Farrington, D. P. (2021). Effectiveness of school-based programs to reduce bullying perpetration and victimization: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Campbell systematic reviews, 17(2), e1143. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1143
Schuch, F. B., Vancampfort, D., Richards, J., Rosenbaum, S., Ward, P. B., & Stubbs, B. (2016). Exercise as a treatment for depression: A meta-analysis adjusting for publication bias. Journal of psychiatric research, 77, 42–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.02.023
Kolhe D and Naik AR (2025) Digital detox as a means to enhance eudaimonic well-being. Front. Hum. Dyn. 7:1572587. doi: 10.3389/fhumd.2025.1572587
Stress, depression, and anxiety related to bullying and other mental health conditions can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we practice precision medicine — using brain SPECT imaging and comprehensive evaluations to understand what’s really happening in your brain, not just your symptoms.
Our whole-body approach to holistic psychiatry combines cutting-edge neuroscience with natural ways to treat mental health conditions, including targeted nutrition, supplements, lifestyle strategies, therapy, and medications (when necessary). Every treatment plan is personalized to address the root causes of your struggles and support the health of your brain, body, and mind.
Don’t settle for guesswork. You deserve answers — and a plan built specifically for you. Speak with a Brain Health Advisor today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page to get started.
About the Reviewer
Kandace Licciardi, MD, Medical Director, Amen Clinics
Dr. Kandace Licciardi is a double board-certified psychiatrist in adult and forensic psychiatry and serves as Medical Director of Amen Clinics. She takes a comprehensive, whole-person approach to care, integrating evidence-based psychiatric treatment with lifestyle, social, and wellness factors. Dr. Licciardi has extensive experience treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorders, and borderline personality disorder, with special expertise in early psychosis intervention. She completed her psychiatry residency at Maimonides Medical Center and her forensic psychiatry fellowship at New York University.
