Signs & Symptoms of a Bullying Issue
DECLINE IN SCHOOL PERFORMANCE:
- A recent decline in grades
- Failure to inform parents of school events, including requests for parents to meet with teachers, etc.
- Loss of interest in school activities, including dropping out of extracurricular activities, athletics, clubs etc.
- Loss of interest in schoolwork
- Does not want to attend school
- Strong desire to be home schooled
PEER RELATIONSHIPS:
- Withdrawal from friends
- Avoiding social situations
- Secrecy regarding social media (online bullying behavior)
- Unexplained lost or destroyed items
PERSONALITY CHANGES, EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS:
- General change in mood toward a more depressed and negative outlook
- Withdrawal from family members
- Is more secretive, isolates in room, withdraws into music
- May be defensive when asked about personal problems, may not be able to identify what is wrong
- Exhibits a loss of energy, initiative, motivation, interest or enthusiasm
- Inability to concentrate
- Excessive fears, worries, or feelings of guilt
- Inability to cope with daily stress
- Crying spells
- Suicidal thinking
PHYSICAL PROBLEMS:
- Appears run down
- Changes in eating (either too much or too little)
- Changes in sleeping habits (either too much or too little)
- Complaint of physical pains (stomach aches, headaches, body pains)
- Self-harm behavior (cutting)
- Faking illness
ALCOHOL/DRUG-SPECIFIC INDICATORS:
- May start drinking alcohol or using other drugs as an escape from emotional pain
DISRUPTION OF FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS:
- May seem irritable, unwilling to talk
Timothy Lena, MSW, CPS Kelley Binette, MSW, MLADC
Timberlane Regional High School Timberlane Regional Middle School
(603) 382 – 6541 x 3408 (603) 382 – 7131 x 4926
Timothy.Lena@timberlane.net Kelley.Binette@timberlane.net