A recent Harris Poll shows that 31% of Americans have faced adult bullying, which stems from a need for power and attention. Bullying can manifest in various social contexts, where individuals seek recognition at the expense of others. Psychiatrist Charles Sophy explains that bullying often reflects a bully's attempt to exert control stemming from personal inadequacies and past traumas. Understanding this emotional background reveals key unconscious patterns, such as victim mentality and insecurity, that can distort a bully's self-perception and lead to harmful behaviors.
"A bully gains power in a relationship by reducing another's, and shows little regard for the consequences to a victim's mental health or well-being," says Charles Sophy, D.O., a Los Angeles-based psychiatrist and medical director.
Beneath this drive for power and control are usually traumatic experiences that have left bullies feeling inadequate, insecure, overlooked, neglected, or abandoned.
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