Low self-esteem is regarded as a significant mental health issue due to its ability to impact people’s lives. Identifying the common signs of this condition is a crucial step towards supporting those who are suffering from it.Â
Key Points
Summary
Children and adults can develop low self-esteem due to various reasons, such as getting bullied, having unhealthy relationships, or performing poorly at work or in school. This condition is regarded as a mental health issue due to the way it can affect different aspects of people’s lives. Fortunately, people suffering from low self-esteem can improve their mental health and well-being through the support services provided by counsellors and psychologists.
Outline
Self-esteem is defined as the perception we have of our own worth. On the other hand, low self-esteem is characterised by a lack of confidence and feelings of inadequacy or worthlessness.
Since it can have a significant impact on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, having low self-esteem can have major effects on various aspects of our lives, such as our relationships, social interactions, and mental health.
Low self-esteem is regarded as a significant mental health issue due to its ability to impact people’s lives. Identifying the common signs of this condition is a crucial step towards supporting those who are suffering from it.
Before diving into the common signs of low self-esteem, it’s important to understand the various factors that can cause individuals to doubt their self-worth. experiencing neglect, constant criticism, or abuse as a child can cause a person to develop feelings of inadequacy, powerlessness, and unworthiness.
Getting bullied and socially excluded can also diminish the way kids view themselves, leading to feelings of inferiority and dissatisfaction as they get older.
Adolescents and adults can also develop low self-esteem due to academic or career pressures, relationship problems, and mental health conditions. Cultural and societal factors can also influence how people view themselves. For instance, societal standards on beauty can cause individuals to develop body image issues, which can lead to low self-esteem.
These factors can have a lasting effect on how individuals perceive themselves, causing them to develop low self-esteem as they get older. Since this condition can lead to other serious mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, it’s important to identify its warning signs early on. Below are some of the common signs of low self-esteem.
Negative Self-Talk
Having low self-esteem can cause people to constantly criticise their selves and resort to using self-deprecating comments. They also tend to downplay their success and achievements and instead focus on what they perceive as their failures.
Lack of Confidence
Due to their feelings of inadequacy, people with low self-esteem often feel uncertain about their abilities, and they also lack the confidence to act or make decisions on their own. As a result, they tend to avoid trying out new experiences due to their fear of failing.
Social Withdrawal
Since these individuals have negative perceptions of their selves, they believe that other people also view them in the same way. As a result, they feel uncomfortable in social situations, causing them to prefer being alone to interacting with others.
Pessimism
People with low self-esteem also generally have a negative outlook on life, and they often expect the worst to happen. Because of this, they usually doubt their ability to accomplish their goals or resolve certain situations.
People-Pleasing
Going out of their way to please others at the expense of their personal needs is also a common sign of low self-esteem. Individuals with this condition also find it hard to say no to the requests of other people.
If you, a loved one, or a friend is exhibiting the signs mentioned above, there are a couple of things that you can do to support others or improve your self-esteem. For example, encouraging positive self-talk can help boost one’s self-esteem by reframing negative thoughts with positive affirmations and focusing on strengths and achievements.
Promoting self-care by indulging in enjoyable and relaxing activities, such as hobbies and physical exercise can also improve one’s mood. In addition, when supporting other people with low self-esteem, it’s important to be an empathetic listener by listening to their thoughts and concerns wholeheartedly without offering unsolicited advice or dismissing their feelings.
Seeking professional help from a counsellor or psychologist is also an effective way of dealing with low self-esteem since mental health professionals are trained to provide personalised solutions tailored to their clients’ needs and recovery goals.
If you're not yet comfortable visiting a mental health clinic in person, we offer telehealth mental health counselling services to ensure you can receive professional help from the comfort of your home. This service provides a safe and private way to address your mental health needs without the need to travel.
For those who prefer in-person support, we have various services available across Australia, including NDIS psychology counselling and other tailored supports. Our clinics are conveniently located in Melbourne, Adelaide, Geelong, and Murray Bridge, making it easier for you to access the care you need.
We provide in-person and telehealth psychology and counselling services to help those with low self-esteem and other mental health conditions. Through our services, we help our clients access affordable, professional, and high-quality personalised solutions aimed at creating positive changes in their lives.
Get in touch with us today to start your journey towards living a healthier life. Explore our latest articles packed with valuable advice and practical tips!
