How Does Low Self-esteem Affect Mental Health?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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.

How does low self-esteem negatively affect you?

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 .

Does low self-esteem affect your mental health?

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 cause health problems?

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.

What disorders are caused by 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 the 4 signs of low self-esteem?

  • saying negative things and being critical about yourself.
  • focusing on your negatives and ignoring your achievements.
  • thinking other people are better than you.
  • not accepting compliments.
  • feeling sad, depressed, anxious, ashamed or angry.

How does low self-esteem cause anxiety?

In this way, these two afflictions interact to continue a negative cycle. If you wish to overcome your social anxiety, start by taking a good hard look at how you view yourself. Low self -esteem can create anxiety and loneliness , which only reinforces your negative self-image.

What are the characteristics of a person with 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.

How do I rebuild my self-esteem?

  1. Recognise what you’re good at. We’re all good at something, whether it’s cooking, singing, doing puzzles or being a friend. ...
  2. Build positive relationships. ...
  3. Be kind to yourself. ...
  4. Learn to be assertive. ...
  5. Start saying “no” ...
  6. Give yourself a challenge.

How do you fix low self-esteem?

  1. Do something that makes you feel good.
  2. Stay physically active—exercise can help improve mood.
  3. Think about something you are good at.
  4. Keep a gratitude journal.
  5. Challenge a negative thought.
  6. Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself.
  7. Volunteer to help others.

What is the best therapy for low self-esteem?

Fortunately, there is a treatment that research has shown is the most effective for remedying low self-esteem. It is cognitive behavioral therapy . Cognitive behavioral therapy is the cutting-edge treatment of choice for most psychological problems. It is designed to be brief, problem-focused, and active.

How does low self-esteem affect relationships?

Low self-esteem can give rise to jealousy and insecurity in a relationship . You may question your worthiness to your partner, and believe it is a fluke they like you. As such, it is normal for people with low self-esteem to expect their partner may be attracted to someone else or fear they will leave the relationship.

Do Bipolars have low self-esteem?

In bipolar disorder, moods swing from depression to mania, or a state of elation, and often leave people with low self-esteem . These feelings can start from being self-conscious about the condition and progress to feelings of lower self-worth.

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.

What age group has the lowest self-esteem?

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.

What causes low self-esteem in adults?

Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse may be the most striking and overt causes of low self-esteem. Being forced into a physical and emotional position against your will can make it very hard to like the world, trust yourself or trust others, which profoundly impacts self-esteem.

Leah Jackson
Author
Leah Jackson
Leah is a relationship coach with over 10 years of experience working with couples and individuals to improve their relationships. She holds a degree in psychology and has trained with leading relationship experts such as John Gottman and Esther Perel. Leah is passionate about helping people build strong, healthy relationships and providing practical advice to overcome common relationship challenges.