Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you’re being bullied, or if it’s just conflict. Bullying is when someone is being super aggressive towards another and there is an imbalance of power. This scenario is often repeated over and over. Here are the most common signs of bullying from people who’ve reached out to TheHopeLine:

• Verbal, Physical, or Emotional Abuse
• Mockery
• Public Humiliation
• Isolating and Abandoning Others
• Damaging Others’ Property or Belongings
• Online Harassment

Like other types of abuse, bullying can leave physical and emotional scars. You could feel depressed and anxious, even when the person bullying you isn’t around. Being bullied might make you so fearful that you avoid being around people and doing things you’d otherwise love to be doing.

Breaking the cycle of bullying starts with reaching out to people who can help you, in a place where you feel safe. That could mean talking to an administrator in your school, chatting with TheHopeLine, talking to your pastor or therapist, or calling a friend or family member you trust. In many cases, people build a network of support from more than one place.