Quite a few people who were picked on or bullied seem to turn to learning self defence. Is this an effective way to face your demons?

It worked for me. It has also filled ‘gaps’ in my life.
Many doctors have realised that practising martial arts can replace drug therapy for patients suffering from psychological conditions. The more aggressive styles such as kendo and kick-boxing appear to help people with problems such as depression, while the softer disciplines of aikido and t’ai chi can help people who are anxious or under a lot of stress. Lou Reed, singer and guitarist from the seminal New York rock band The Velvet Underground, who has a notoriously difficult artistic temperament, says he has tamed the rock and roll animal in his soul by practising t’ai chi for three hours a day.