Let’s face it, getting bullied and being ostracized doesn’t end with your teenage years, especially if you’re living with a bully at home.
If you’ve ever felt targeted by any of your family members, emotionally abused, and intimidated to the level where you’re forced to believe that something’s truly wrong with you, then you know what getting bullied at home feels like.
It’s important not to let such abuse get the best of you.
We’ve got some tips to share …
Whether it’s a jealous sibling, narcissistic mother, snobby aunt, or physically violent father, a bully can shatter your self-esteem, tear your mental health to pieces, alter your self-image, and make you believe you are … well, worthless.
Although getting bullied at home is often a sustained problem, you can reduce its effects on your emotional health with these tips below:
- Avoid losing your composure: It’s hard not to get emotional when someone’s pointing fingers at you, but it’s also the most appropriate and best manner for dealing with bullies. When verbally confronted, try remaining calm and fight the urge to respond in a hostile and disrespectful manner.
- Know what to say ahead of time: Spontaneity is rarely the right option when dealing with toxic family members. Think beforehand about the kind of remarks you may get and plan a non-conflicting response, something that will de-escalate and aid in ending the conversation – promptly, right then and there – while also making you feel good and proud of yourself.
- Try finding an escape route: If family gatherings and dinners are completely unbearable and leave you feeling drained after facing all those negative remarks, plan escape routes. You can make commitments elsewhere and leave early, before the cold war starts. Perhaps you have to “work” and will be unable to attend the gathering, politely declining the generous offer of impending doom. Take a firm and healthy approach to creating a new tradition this year. Make yourself unavailable to be the emotional punching bag of the family bully. Keep your therapist close, so you can connect virtually when needed, to maintain your strength and grow beyond the family bully.