It can be difficult being a child, especially if you’re a kid who’s bullied by his friends and classmates. While bullying is sometimes dismissed as a normal part of growing up, there’s evidence that the effect on the child who’s bullied may be long-lasting and severe. According to a new study, kids who are bullied are more likely to develop serious psychiatric problems when they grow into adolescence.

This study which was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry showed that children who were bullied between the ages of eight and ten were twice as likely to develop psychotic symptoms when they entered adolescence when compared to kids who weren’t bullied during childhood. The risk of developing psychotic symptoms was even higher in kids who were teased and harassed repeatedly over a number of years. Although the researchers are quick to point out this doesn’t prove cause and effect, there seems to be a strong association between kids that are bullied and the development of mental illness. Psychotic symptoms experienced by kids that are bullied can range from delusional thoughts to outright hallucinations and completely disorganized thinking.

It’s not surprising that kids that are bullied might develop psychological problems. Some studies have shown that bullied kids go on to develop adult depression and social anxiety. It appears that the effects of being teased and shunned by other kids may very well follow a child into adolescence and adulthood. What’s more surprising is that kids who are bullied may be at risk of a complete psychotic break during adolescence.

Because kids that are bullied may be at higher risk of serious mental problems, it’s important to identify the problem early. Unfortunately, some bullied children may be embarrassed to talk about the problem making it a real challenge for parents to get involved. Some signs that a child may be bullied at school include reluctance to go to school; seeming withdrawn; changes in appetite and sleep patterns; declining grades, unexplained injuries and bruises; frequent crying; and other signs of depression; and anxiety.

If you suspect your child is being bullied and he’s reluctant to talk about it, the best approach is to make an appointment with your child’s teachers who will usually be aware of this type of problem. Once you’re aware that your child’s being bullied, you can take steps to open up the line of communication with your child and enlist the help of the school, if necessary. Bullying should never be ignored or chalked up as a natural part of childhood. According to this study, kids that are bullied may be a set-up for serious psychological problem during adolescence and even adulthood.