# data[].attributes.body
Many individuals who are victims of inter-peer bullying develop various mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders, PTSD, etc. These individuals will often require the assistance of doctors or counselors, and some even turn to prescription medications. Who would've thought the "best years of your life" would turn into "worst years of your life?" It's important to understand that these are life long battles, which could've been avoided.

# data[].attributes.body
We grew up together. It's a small town so the friends you made in preschool would likely be your friends for life. It took me a long time to understand that I had experienced inter peer bullying, and for a long time I refused to aknowledge that I was a victim. I was best friends with these girls for ten years; they couldn't possibly bully me, right? Wrong. It didn't start until I was in 8th grade, just about to go into high school. These girls had been my friends ever since I could remember. But, they started to give me a hard time about my physical appearance, specifically about the size of my breasts. I began to only wear baggy shirts and sweaters or hoodies, attempting to disguise them. They made me uncomfortable in my own skin. I was so self conscious all the time. But, because it was a small town, I had no one else to turn to. Everyone had their social groups and I couldn't risk getting excluded from mine. Even though my social identity was compromised, I couldn't help but stay in the group. I continued feeling this way until I left for college, finally leaving this small town. I was able to escape their hatred and begin to slowly rebuild the self confidence they so easily crushed.

# data[].attributes.body
I had been, what most people referred to as, inseperable best friends with a girl for six years. We did everything together: football games, movie nights, gossiping about boys, dances, road trips, family events, etc. I went into high school with the expectation that my experience would be just like those in the movies, but it turned out to be my worst nightmare; one that I would never be able to forget. I wasn't into the party scene, we were only sophmores and I just wasn't ready. My best friend wasn't a big fan of me being who I was, so she began to harass me about my weight, my appearance, my social standing; you name it, I got made fun for it. I was attacked verbally at school and through social media such as anonymous twitter, instagram, and facebook accounts all ran by people at my school. I began to resent myself and became withdrawn from my friends and my family. This went on for three years. Three years of crying myself to sleep and feeling like it would be better off if I wasn't here.Three years of living in fear; afraid to go to school, to the store, to be alone. She made me hate myself, which made me question everything that made me, me. I developed depression, anxiety, and PTSD which I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I never thought my best friend would become my bully.

# data[].attributes.body
Below are a series of real life experiences of adolescents who went through inter peer bullying. These stories are completely true and raw

# data[].attributes.body
Adolescents spend on average 7-8 hours per day at school. The need for acceptance during the adolescent years is extremely high. During their high school careers, teenagers will strongly identify with one social group; whether that be the jocks, nerds, burners, hipsters, basketcases, etc. Although bullying between social groups will have an affect on one’s social identity, bullying within a social group has a direct negative effect on how one views their social identity. Being bullied by those you consider your best friends is enough to destroy a person.

# data[].attributes.body
SIT was developed by psychologists as a way to explain the everlasting effects that inter peer bullying has on one’s social identity. Social identity is defined as “the portion of an individual’s self-concept derived from perceived membership in a relevant social group.” The adolescent years hold some of the must vulnerable and confusing times in our lives. If you experience inter peer bullying, your social identity will be directly affected; this is where SIT comes in. SIT is defined as “perception of self and others based on the social groups that one belongs to.”

# data[].attributes.body
Inter peer bullying is a sub category of bullying where the victim is bullied by those he/she considers their closest peers. The incidents are the result of members of the group attempting to “earn” their membership by bullying those "weaker" and less likely to fight back in the group. It’s most common in adolescents, and is most common in school settings. It can also take the form of cyber bullying.

# data[].attributes.body
A look into the life of someone who experienced inter peer bullying and how it affected them for the rest of their life. These bullying episodes can effect how one perceives themselves for the rest of their lives.