Low Self-Esteem

Low Self-Esteem

What are Low Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is the opinion we have of ourselves. When we have healthy self-esteem, we tend to feel positive about ourselves and about life in general. It makes us able to deal with life's ups and downs better.

When our self-esteem is low, we tend to see ourselves and our life in a more negative and critical light. We also feel less able to take on the challenges life throws at us.

What are the symptoms of Low Self-Esteem?

In your thoughts about yourself you're likely to be self-critical, self-blaming and self-doubting, and focus on your weaknesses rather than your positive qualities. The beliefs will affect your behaviour: you may avoid challenges and opportunities, be continually apologetic, or find it difficult to be assertive. They can have an impact on your emotions, generating sadness, guilt, shame, frustration or anger. This might be reflected in your physical state, making you feel fatigued or tense.

• At work, you may consistently underperform - or, conversely, be rigorous in your perfectionism, driven by fear of failure.
• In your personal relationships you may suffer from terrible self-consciousness, oversensitivity to criticism or disapproval, or excessive eagerness to please. Some people with low self-esteem, on the other hand, try to be always in control or always put others first, thinking that if they don't then no one will want to know them.
• In your leisure time you might avoid any activity where there is a risk of being judged, or perhaps simply feel that you don't deserve to relax and enjoy yourself.
• You might not take proper care of yourself, for example refusing to rest when you feel ill, or drinking excessively or using drugs.

What are the causes of Low Self-Esteem?

Low self-esteem often begins in childhood. Teachers, friends, siblings, parents, and even the media send us messages about ourselves, both positive and negative. For some reason, the message that you are not good enough is the one that stays with you.

Perhaps you found it difficult to live up to other people's expectations of you, or to your own expectations.

Stress and difficult life events, such as serious illness or a bereavement, can have a negative effect on self-esteem.

Personality can also play a part. Some people are just more prone to negative thinking, while others set impossibly high standards for themselves.

How is Low Self-Esteemtreated?

In order to overcome low self-esteem it's necessary to break the cycle that keeps it going. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is an ideal approach for tackling low self-esteem, because it provides a clear framework for understanding how the problem developed and what keeps it going. CBT focuses on thoughts, beliefs and opinions, but also provides a practical approach for changing those beliefs by changing behaviour. It encourages you to try out new ways of behaving, and to observe the effect that this has on the way you feel about yourself.

Disclaimer

This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Doctors Catalog has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 108 for immediate assistance.