How To Deal With An Adult Bully? 4 Ways To Outsmart Them

 / 

, ,
How To Deal With An Adult Bully? Four Ways To Stop Them

How to deal with an adult bully? Facing such challenges requires strategic finesse. Explore these effective ways to regain control, confidence, and peace in your life.

Dealing with an adult bully is sometimes harder than people think. Be it at work, home, or online, being in the line of fire of adult bullies is a horrible and mentally traumatizing experience.

When we think of bullying our minds resort to thoughts and images of young children or teens in a schoolyard, but adult bullying is more common than you may think.

According to a survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of the American Osteopathic Association found that 31% of Americans have been bullied as an adult, and 40 percent of Americans seeing the brunt of cyber-bullying, according to a survey on the by the Pew Research Center.

Adult bullies use different methods to gain “power”.

Adult bullies may ignore you, then act like theyโ€™re your best friend when the situations serve them well. Theyโ€™re quick to assign blame and point fingers when something goes wrong. And equally quick to claim your good ideas as their own.

They engage in the repeated mistreatment of one or more people through humiliation, intimidation and passive-aggressive sabotage, along with coercion, punishment, belittling, embarrassment, revenge, and threatening behaviors.

How To Deal With An Adult Bully? 4 Ways To Stop Them

1. Safety First 

Never compromise on your safety. It is extremely important to protect yourself both mentally and physically. If the bullying occurs online, do not engage, you’d rather unfriend and block than engage or react in any way. If the bullying occurs at work, speak to your manager or HR.

If you feel you are being bullied in your personal life, seek help, whether it’s paying a visit to your doctor or seeing a psychologist help you devise specific strategies for your situation.

If you believe that you’re in a serious aggressive situation, contact the police. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional, and protect your well-being.

Related: 7 Ways To Deal With Verbally Aggressive People

2. Create Distance 

Not looking for confrontation? Creating distance may be your best bet in dealing with adult bullies. Realize that your time is valuable, and your happiness and well-being are important.

Unless thereโ€™s something critical at stake, donโ€™t expend yourself by trying to grapple with a person whoโ€™s negatively entrenched.

Whether youโ€™re dealing with a road rage driver, a pushy salesperson, a hostile neighbor, an obnoxious relation, or a domineering supervisor, keep a healthy distance and avoid engagement unless you absolutely have to.

3. Ignore It

If you’re not in a position to keep a healthy distance or avoid engagement, then ignore the inappropriate behavior. Bullies are sometimes driven by a sense of power. Like a kid with a new toy, they get a kick out of pushing a button and seeing what happens.

However, if the button does nothing the child will stop playing with the toy. If we give no response to the bullying behavior we are sometimes able to remove the reason or benefit for the bully to continue.

Some suggestions may be:

  • If someone keeps making jokes at your expense, laugh along with them.
  • If someone makes sarcastic, fake compliments, thank them.
  • When someone says something rude, pretend that you didnโ€™t hear them.
  • If someone harps on the same mistake or accident you made, tell them that is now in the past.

Related: The Real Reason Why Highly Sensitive People Get Bullied

4. Don’t React

Bullies thrive on reaction, which is why they display such absurd behaviors.

Dr. Ken Yeager of the Ohio State University explains this and gives useful tips on what to and what not to do: Donโ€™t react to the attack. Bullies live for the reaction.

If you must speak your truth rather, listen carefully, and respond as the voice of reason, identifying the not-well-thought-through aspects of the bullyโ€™s point.

Remember to take care of yourself and know that the adult bully’s behavior is not your fault, so do not blame yourself for it, instead, use smart strategies to overcome it.

So, this is how to handle an adult bully in your life. If you’re going through this, share your thoughts and insights in the comments below!


Written by Ellie Osman
Originally appeared on Untangled Thoughts
How to Deal with An Adult Bully
How to Deal with An Adult Bully
How Deal Adult Bully pin
How To Stop An Adult Bully

— Share —

— About the Author —

Response

  1. Elbert Jones Avatar
    Elbert Jones

    You could also get a legal restraining order.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



Up Next

23 Dark Signs Of Religious Trauma and How to Heal

Dark Signs Of Religious Trauma Syndrome and How to Heal

Ever felt a tug at your soul or questioned your beliefs? Let’s explore the lesser-known signs of religious trauma and how to reclaim your peace from its impact.

If thereโ€™s any topic that has impacted my life so deeply โ€“ and yet Iโ€™ve been putting off writing for over ten years โ€“ itโ€™s religious trauma.

The topic of religious trauma is such an inflammatory topic, and one that has harmed so many people, that Iโ€™m going to try and approach it as delicately as I can.

Religious trauma is pervasive and more widespread than I believe most people are aware of. After all, the foundation of most modern societies are based on religious ideals, whether you live in the east or west.

So to get this out of the way be



Up Next

The Narcissistic Stare: How A Narcissist Uses Stare To Control You and 5 Ways To Protect Yourself

Narcissistic Stare | Why Do Narcissists Stare? Coping Tips

The human gaze holds immense power, capable of expressing emotions, desires, and even hidden intentions. Among the many intriguing forms of eye contact, the narcissistic stare stands out as an enigmatic phenomenon that both fascinates and perplexes. 

But what is the narcissistic stare? Well, have you ever encountered someone whose gaze seemed to penetrate your very soul, leaving you feeling exposed and uncomfortable? 

Let us delve into this fascinating concept, exploring what is the narcissistic stare, why do narcissists stare and the different variations it takes on, including the malignant narcissist stare and the female narcissistic stare.

What is the Narcissistic Stare?



Up Next

8 Harmful Signs of Mental Illness in Women: A Comprehensive Guide For Identifying Red Flags

Harmful Signs of Mental Illness in Women And Treatment

Recognizing the signs of mental illness in women is crucial when addressing specific mental health issues that women face. It’s crucial to understand that the causes of these struggles affect not only women but everyone, and yet, our experiences can be uniquely different.

Mental illness, also known as mental health disorders, includes a variety of conditions that impact your mood, thoughts, and behavior. From depression and anxiety disorders to schizophrenia, eating disorders and addictive behaviors.

However, researchers have identified that although all genders suffer from mental health issues, women in particular show completely different symptoms and impa



Up Next

5 Stages Of A Narcissistic Relationship (And How To Escape Their Trap)

Stages Of A Narcissistic Relationship: Toxic Cycle

From euphoria to despair, the toxic relationship cycle leaves lasting scars. Learn the stages of a narcissistic relationship to protect yourself from the emotional rollercoaster and avoid lasting trauma.

Narcissistic relationships often go through a painful cycle that is a predictable outgrowth of narcissistic personality disorder. Central to understanding a narcissistโ€™s behavior is that their relationships are transactional.

Their impaired boundaries and lack of empathy prevent them from seeing other people as separate three-dimensional beings with needs and feelings of their own.



Up Next

Disenchanted Childhood: The Effects Of Self Centered Parenting on Children

The Harmful Effects Of Self Centered Parenting on Children

When you are on the opposite side of self centered parenting, it can have far-reaching effects on you and your psyche. Growing up with selfish parents can take a heavy toll on your mental and emotional health, and these effects can be felt even when you are an adult.

KEY POINTS

Self absorbed parents create role-reversed relationships with their children in which the child psychologically caters to the parent.

Children show psychological responses to selfish parents depending upon the child’s personality.

Some children acquiesce to self-focused parents’ demands, while ot



Up Next

8 Signs Of Mommy Issues In A Woman and How It Haunts Her For Life

Signs Of Mommy Issues In A Woman: Maternal Scars

We often hear about “daddy issues” in pop culture, but less frequently discussed are “mommy issues”. Just like men, women can have unresolved emotional conflicts stemming from their relationship with their mothers. These signs of mommy issues in a woman, if left unaddressed, can manifest in various aspects of a woman’s life, affecting her relationships, self-worth, and overall mental well-being.

But what are the signs of a woman with mommy issues, and more importantly, what can you do when it comes to dealing with mommy issues? Letโ€™s delve into the intricate world of mommy issues and find a way towards healing.



Up Next

People Who Only Take From You: 11 Signs Of Toxic Takers In Relationships

People Who Only Take: Signs Of Takers In Relationships

There are certain people who only take from others, and choose to be entitled and arrogant about it for their whole lives. Such toxic takers or self centred people demand and expect too much from others, whilst doing nothing in return. This article is going to talk in detail about the signs of people who only take and give nothing back.

KEY POINTS

People who demand too much from others have high self-esteem with anxiety and are inept at self-care.

Takers experience a higher mortality rate than those in give-and-take irelationships.

Expecting too much from others is lea