A classroom of an elementary school in Seoul is vacant on March 17, 2020. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 20 (Korea Bizwire) — Most victims of school violence make plans for revenge, a survey showed Sunday.
The Psychiatry Association for Korean Schools conducted a survey of 65 psychiatrists, 78.5 percent of whom said that they had treated victims of school violence before.
Among them, 90.2 percent treated those who had the intention of retribution against perpetrators, while 47.1 percent said they had treated those who had specific plans set up to exact revenge.
At 70 percent, more than two thirds of psychiatrists said they had treated victims of school violence who had attempted to commit suicide.
Most psychiatrists say falling victim to school violence may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder, and 2 in 3 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients suffer from anxiety or depression.
Another 44.6 percent of psychiatrists also said there is a correlation between school violence and somatization disorder, which refers to a stomachache or a headache caused by failing to fully express mental frustration and pain.
Medical treatment has helped the victims overcome the symptoms. The aftereffects, however, were harder to heal.
Symptoms of insomnia and depression may be cured in the short term, but the feelings of mistrust and betrayal are harder to overcome.
Close to one third of the psychiatrists surveyed said they have been treating patients struggling with aftereffects for many years, while 62.7 percent said that the patients continue to struggle with the aftereffects of school violence even after they reach adulthood.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
