Difficulty: Challenger (Level 1)
It is completely normal to feel scared and anxious when you’re around people who hurt you in the past. It is especially difficult if you went through a tough time with bullying. You might be experiencing a panic attack.
Panic attacks are sudden moments of intense fear or not feeling at ease. You may experience strong physical and emotional reactions. You might feel your heart racing, sweat, shake or have trouble breathing. Other symptoms include chest pain, dizziness, or a sense of losing control.
These attacks can happen when you’re in a stressful situation, like meeting your old bullies. Your body might react as if there’s a real danger, even if it’s just a memory.
It is important to take care of your mental health. You must find ways to deal with these feelings. You should also understand that your feelings are real. They should not be ignored. It’s normal to feel upset or scared in these situations.
You can spend time with caring and understanding friends and family. They can help you through tricky times and make you feel safe and secure.
Bullying can have a long-term negative impact on your mental health. To heal, you need to seek help from a professional. You also need to learn coping strategies and build a strong support system with friends and family.
This question was answered by the Department of Health under Shall We Talk, an initiative launched with the Advisory Committee on Mental Health.
Questions
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Have you ever felt scared or anxious around someone who has hurt you in the past?
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Why should we not allow past bullies to control our lives?
