Living with low self-esteem
can harm your mental health
and lead to problems such as depression and anxiety. You may also develop unhelpful habits, such as smoking and drinking too much, as a way of coping.
Can low self-esteem be good?
Low self-esteem makes
some of us respectful
– because we assume everyone is better than us. Low self-esteem makes some of us gentle – because we are not strong. … Low self-esteem makes some of us good listeners – because we do not want to listen to ourselves.
What does low self-esteem do to a person?
Low self-esteem and quality of life
A low self-esteem can
reduce the quality of a person’s life
in many different ways, including: Negative feelings – the constant self-criticism can lead to persistent feelings of sadness, depression, anxiety, anger, shame or guilt.
What do people with low self-esteem tend to be?
People with low self-esteem are more troubled by failure and tend
to exaggerate events as being negative
. For example, they often interpret non critical comments as critical. They are more likely to experience social anxiety and low levels of interpersonal confidence.
What are the signs of low self-esteem?
- Poor Confidence. People with low self-confidence tend to have low self-esteem and vice versa. …
- Lack of Control. …
- Negative Social Comparison. …
- Problems Asking for What You Need. …
- Worry and Self-Doubt. …
- Trouble Accepting Positive Feedback. …
- Negative Self-Talk. …
- Fear of Failure.
What mental illness causes low self-esteem?
Whilst low self-esteem does not make up a condition alone, in combination with other symptoms it can point to conditions including (but not limited to)
anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and personality disorders
.
What are 3 examples of low self-esteem?
- You’re a people-pleaser. …
- You feel needy or unworthy. …
- You struggle to build healthy relationships. …
- You have a poor self-image. …
- You experience negative self-talk. …
- You compare yourself to others. …
- You experience self-doubt. …
- You avoid self-expression.
Is low self-esteem a mental illness?
Although
low self-esteem is not categorized as a mental health condition in itself
, there are clear links between the way we feel about ourselves and our overall mental and emotional wellbeing.
How can I rebuild my self-esteem?
- Signs of low self-esteem. …
- Be Mindful of Self-Talk. …
- Limit the Time You Spend With People Who Make you Feel Icky. …
- Break Things Down Into Teeny Actions. …
- Make a Concerted Effort to Practise Self-care. …
- Stop Comparing Yourself to Others.
Does low self-esteem affect relationships?
Research has shown that self-esteem
influences your relationship satisfaction as well as your partner’s
. Self-defeating thoughts and insecurities can affect the way you act with your partner. Low self-esteem can distort your perception of your partner, according to the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
Is low self-esteem linked to anxiety?
Self-esteem is known to play a role in social anxiety disorder (SAD) and general anxiety disorder (GAD). While lowered self-esteem may
put you at risk of later social anxiety
, having an anxiety disorder can also make you feel worse about yourself.
How do you cure low self-esteem?
- Use hopeful statements. Treat yourself with kindness and encouragement. …
- Forgive yourself. …
- Avoid ‘should’ and ‘must’ statements. …
- Focus on the positive. …
- Consider what you’ve learned. …
- Relabel upsetting thoughts. …
- Encourage yourself.
What should I do if I have low self-esteem?
- Recognise what you’re good at. We’re all good at something, whether it’s cooking, singing, doing puzzles or being a friend. …
- Build positive relationships. …
- Be kind to yourself. …
- Learn to be assertive. …
- Start saying “no” …
- Give yourself a challenge.
What age is self-esteem lowest?
Self-esteem was
lowest among young adults
but increased throughout adulthood, peaking at age 60, before it started to decline. These results are reported in the latest issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.
Why low self-esteem is bad?
Consequences of Low Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem can have devastating consequences. It can:
create anxiety, stress, loneliness, and increased likelihood of depression
.
cause problems with friendships and romantic relationships
.
Which most likely describes a person with low self-esteem?
Low self-esteem is characterized by a lack of confidence and feeling badly about oneself. People with low self-esteem often feel
unlovable, awkward, or incompetent
. … Furthermore, people with low self-esteem are “hypervigilant and hyperalert to signs of rejection, inadequacy, and rebuff,” write Rosenberg and Owens.
