Bullying and depression: A case report.

Bullying is common in schools and is often seen as an inevitable part of school life. Children who are bullied tend to be more anxious and insecure than their peers. We report the case of a 13-year-old boy who was bullied from the age of 9 and presented to the local Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team (CAMHS) with a psychotic depression. Clinical improvement and re-integration into school was achieved by use of psychotropic medication and work on building self-esteem so that the patient could assert himself, both with peers and adults. There is evidence suggesting that children and adolescents who are bullied have increased rates of referral to the CAMHS, particularly with symptoms of depression. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2000; 4:73-75).