DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, Dr. Jennifer Fraser discusses the lifelong impact of bullying on the brain and strategies for coping and recovery. She explains that children with ADHD are more likely to be bullied due to impulsivity, low self-esteem, and difficulties with social cues. Dr. Fraser challenges the notion that bullying stems from an imbalance of power, arguing instead that bullies often have impaired brain function, particularly in areas related to empathy.
Dr. Fraser emphasizes that bullying causes visible damage to various brain regions, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and corpus callosum. However, she also highlights the brain's remarkable ability to repair and recover through practices such as aerobic exercise, brain training, mindfulness, and co-regulation. She advocates for a shift toward a 'neuroparadigm' that treats bullying as a medical condition rather than solely a moral issue.
Dr. Fraser suggests that by understanding the neurological underpinnings of bullying, we can better support both targets and aggressors. She proposes strategies like creating safe spaces in schools, teaching children a shared vocabulary for understanding brain function, and involving mental health professionals in rehabilitation efforts. Ultimately, her goal is to reduce bullying and promote compassion through a brain-informed approach.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Children with ADHD are more likely to be bullied due to impulsivity, low self-esteem, and difficulties with social cues.
- Bullying causes visible damage to various brain regions, including the amygdala, hippocampus, and corpus callosum.
- The brain has the ability to repair and recover from the effects of bullying through practices like aerobic exercise, brain training, mindfulness, and co-regulation.
- Dr. Fraser advocates for a 'neuroparadigm' that treats bullying as a medical condition rather than solely a moral issue.
- Understanding the neurological underpinnings of bullying can help support both targets and aggressors through strategies like creating safe spaces, teaching shared vocabulary, and involving mental health professionals.
- Consistent, repetitive learning and daily practice are crucial for lasting changes in brain function and behavior related to bullying.
- Non-physical forms of bullying, such as emotional abuse and neglect, can be just as damaging to the brain as physical abuse.
- The focus should be on understanding the factors contributing to the bully's behavior, rather than assuming it's a result of characteristics of the target.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “If you have somebody who is not responding with empathy in a brain scanner, you're going to have to do really intensive training to get that empathy back up and functioning.“ by Jennifer Fraser
- “If your pain points are discipline and behavior, emotional regulation, time management, homework in school, or other related issues, these ebooks will be a helpful resource for you.“ by Carol Fleck
- “Bullying is a very impulsive act on one level. It can also be a very calculated act in another. But the point being, we tend to try and understand bullying by saying that the target, you know, it's the target's hair, it's the target's background, it's their ethnicity, it's their gender. We come up, we're always looking for, what is it about the target that can explain this horrible behavior, this harmful, destructive behavior?“ by Jennifer Fraser
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Episode Information
ADHD Experts Podcast
ADDitude
7/2/24
Children and teens with ADHD are more likely to be bullied than their neurotypical peers, and this bullying can physically harm their brains. Jennifer Fraser, Ph.D., shares strategies that can help children cope with bullies, and allow their brains to heal.
Bullying, Trauma, and ADHD: More Resources
- Download: Secrets of the ADHD Brain
- Get: The ADHD Guide to Making & Keeping Friends
- Read: 13 Trauma-Informed Teaching Strategies for Educators Today
- Read: How to Protect Your Child From Cyberbullying
Access the video and slides for podcast episode #509 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/ptsd-bullying-adhd-brain-effects/
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