What is the main cause of low self-esteem?
Causes of low self-esteem
Unhappy childhood where parents (or other significant people such as teachers) were extremely critical. Poor academic performance in school resulting in a lack of confidence. Ongoing stressful life event such as relationship breakdown or financial trouble.
- Acne. Physical appearance and body positivity (or lack thereof) routinely land near the top of the list when self-esteems saboteurs come up in conversation. ...
- Social Media. ...
- Perfectionism. ...
- Unattainable Beauty Standards. ...
- A Messy Desk. ...
- Self-Deprecating Humor.
- create anxiety, stress, loneliness, and increased likelihood of depression.
- cause problems with friendships and romantic relationships.
- seriously impair academic and job performance.
- lead to increased vulnerability to drug and alcohol abuse.
- Be kind to yourself.
- Try to recognise positives.
- Build a support network.
- Try talking therapy.
- Set yourself a challenge.
- Look after yourself.
Low self-esteem is when someone lacks confidence about who they are and what they can do. They often feel incompetent, unloved, or inadequate. People who struggle with low self-esteem are consistently afraid about making mistakes or letting other people down.
Worry and Self-Doubt
Even after making a decision, people who have low self-worth often worry that they've made the wrong choice. They doubt their own opinions and may defer to what others think instead of sticking to their choices. This can lead to a great deal of second-guessing and self-doubt.
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.
It takes time and practice to genuinely enhance self-esteem. Lisa Firestone, Ph. D, a clinical psychologist and co-author of Conquer Your Critical Inner Voice, also believes it's possible to lift low self-esteem.
- Become aware of thoughts and beliefs. Once you've learned which situations affect your self-esteem, notice your thoughts about them. ...
- Challenge negative thinking. ...
- Adjust your thoughts and beliefs. ...
- Spot troubling conditions or situations. ...
- Step back from your thoughts. ...
- Accept your thoughts.
- Stop comparing yourself to others. ...
- Stop belittling yourself. ...
- Use positive self-affirmations to build our self-esteem. ...
- Surround yourself with positive, supportive people. ...
- Dwell on your positive qualities. ...
- Give back. ...
- Pay attention to self-care.
How do you build confidence in yourself?
- Look at what you've already achieved. It's easy to lose confidence if you believe you haven't achieved anything. ...
- Think of things you're good at. Everyone has strengths and talents. ...
- Set some goals. ...
- Talk yourself up. ...
- Get a hobby.
The most common reason that comes in way of our confidence is fear. Fear of failure, embarrassment or rejection. Sometimes, it is actually fear on fear.

- “Look even I have problems” When you are with a person with low self-esteem, don't go on and on about how your life is so troubled because of your flaws. ...
- “You are so beautiful. ...
- “Can you be more confident, please?” ...
- “You are just fishing for compliments, aren't you?”
- 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.
- depression/sadness.
- anxieties.
- low mood.
- avoiding of social situations.
- feelings of inadequacy.
- comparing self negatively to others.
- difficulty accepting compliments.
- neglect of own needs, particularly emotional ones.
- Stop comparing yourself to others. ...
- Don't worry about others' opinions. ...
- Allow yourself to make mistakes. ...
- Remember your value doesn't lie in how your body looks. ...
- Don't be afraid to let go of toxic people. ...
- Process your fears. ...
- Trust yourself to make good decisions for yourself.
Here are a few signs that someone is behaving based on ego and has low self-esteem: They are disconnected from their real Self, showing a false self to the world. They don't behave in a way that aligns with their Core Values. They are often thin-skinned, quick to become angry when someone has a different point of view.
On the other hand, low self-confidence might make you feel full of self-doubt, be passive or submissive, or have difficulty trusting others. You may feel inferior, unloved, or be sensitive to criticism. Feeling confident in yourself might depend on the situation.
Low self-esteem isn't a mental health problem in itself. But mental health and self-esteem can be closely linked. Some of the signs of low self-esteem can be signs of a mental health problem. This is especially if they last for a long time or affect your daily life.
Low self-esteem
People who are toxic are often insecure and have low self-esteem. This means they feel as though they're unworthy of being successful or happy, and tend to blame their failures on everything but themselves.
Is low self-esteem part of depression?
Depression and low self-esteem are two sides of the same coin. While low self-esteem leaves people vulnerable to depression, depression can absolutely destroy self-esteem. But, though low self-esteem may be deeply rooted, there are things you can do to improve it, even if you are suffering from depression.
Low self-esteem, as a risk trigger for mental illness, is typically associated with a high incidence of anxiety symptoms.
It's not the same for everybody. I've seen clients taking 3 months to make substantial changes in their life. Others take 6 months. It also depends on how many wounds there are to heal, so during the process you can realise that you need as well some support from other specialists.
One cross-sectional study that examined age differences in self-esteem across a broad population range (nine to 90 years old) in the US found evidence that the average level of self-esteem is high in childhood, decreases in adolescence, increases in adulthood and peaks at around mid-60s, after which it decreases again ...
There isn't a quick fix to rebuilding self-esteem. It doesn't happen overnight. It takes time, self-compassion, self-acceptance, patience and mindful action. It's also a work in progress.
Self-esteem is influenced by evolution, childhood, rejection, social group stability, and, most importantly, beliefs.
- Try to revisit your values. ...
- Consider taking inventory of your relationships. ...
- Try to focus on activities you enjoy. ...
- Practicing self-care will help. ...
- Identify and nurture your needs.
Bandura (1997) proposed four sources of self-efficacy: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and physiological and affective states.
By far the most important secret of building self-confidence is the self-talk. I cannot emphasize this enough that the most important thing is self-talk. Talk to yourself in a nice way, treat yourself with respect and love.
- Write out a list of things you admire about yourself. ...
- Stop being a people pleaser. ...
- Step outside your comfort zone. ...
- Stop comparing yourself to others. ...
- Forgive yourself for your past thoughts. ...
- Set boundaries in your relationships. ...
- Celebrate your wins. ...
- Let go of negative people.
What are 10 ways to improve self respect?
- Be kind to yourself. The things you say to yourself are way more powerful than you might think. ...
- Accept who you are. ...
- Get moving and stay active. ...
- Welcome mistakes as part of growth. ...
- Remember to forgive yourself often. ...
- Surround yourself with supportive people. ...
- Focus on what you can change. ...
- Do what makes you happy.
You might relate to any of the following: You fear you'll be faced with rejection or anger if you don't give in to other people's wants and needs. The idea of standing up for yourself fills you with dread. You know that deep down you want to say something but the words don't come.
Self-esteem can cause negative thinking which in turn can cause depression, anxiety, eating disorders and unhealthy behaviours and habits.
Low self-esteem has been shown to lead to mental and physical health issues like depression, anxiety, and anorexia. It can also lead to unhealthy habits like smoking tobacco, alcohol abuse, or drug use.
Low self-esteem isn't a mental health problem in itself. But mental health and self-esteem can be closely linked. Some of the signs of low self-esteem can be signs of a mental health problem. This is especially if they last for a long time or affect your daily life.
It can even turn you into a toxic person. If you're suffering from low self-esteem, it's important to recognize the situation you're in and all the ramifications associated with it.
- 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.
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.
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.
Parents and/or caregivers' ways of upbringing determines the way a child builds their idea of themselves. Overinvolved and neglectful parents both play a key role in child's self-esteem. Harsh and strict parenting conditions a child to believe that they are not good enough.