5 Signs Connected to Low Self-Esteem and How to Address Them

Self-esteem, in general terms, is your opinion of yourself. People with low self-esteem often lack confidence about who they are and what they can do. In effect, these people always feel incompetent, unloved, or inadequate. They are often afraid to make mistakes or to let people down.

Factors such as genetics, how and where people grew up, and other life circumstances all play a role in having low self-esteem. However, a significant factor of self-esteem comes from a person’s mental state. The thoughts in people’s heads can constantly tell them that they are not good enough or worth anything, even if that’s not the truth.

1. Sensitivity to Criticism

For people with low self-esteem, criticism only reinforces their thoughts and confirms that they are incapable of anything right. People who hear more criticism often turn sensitive regardless of whether the criticism came from others or themselves. Even constructive criticisms, if in excess, may be harmful.

2. Hostility

Being aggressive is often a result of having low self-esteem. Although it does not manifest all the time, it’s a possibility that anger will be their defense mechanism. For people around them, it is a sign of rudeness or inability to accept comments. But for people with low self-esteem, it’s their way to cope with the things they’re struggling with.

3. Social Withdrawal

People experiencing terrible thoughts about themselves are likely to disassociate themselves from the public. They can decline invitations to parties or simply meet up with friends. Sometimes, they would accept the invites but then cancel at the last minute without any valid reason. It’s difficult to hold a conversation or talk about their lives because it will only reinforce their thoughts about themselves, making them feel even worse.

4. Too Preoccupied

People may have difficulty empathizing with someone else’s problems because they are too preoccupied with the burden they’re carrying themselves. Consistent worrying makes people lose track of time and the people around them. They might worry too much about things beyond what they can’t control. Instead of focusing on improving what they can, they may sulk and think of the same problems to no benefit.

5. Physical Changes

Low self-esteem leads to mental and physical health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and anorexia. Most people even turn to vices to cope, like smoking tobacco, alcohol abuse, or drug use. Although these things may help them right now, they could also ruin their physical health in the long run.

Resolving Low Self-Esteem

Overcoming low self-esteem is a long journey for everyone. With the proper support, mindset, and change in behavior, most people get the help they need and eventually recover from it. However, the journey begins with yourself. Admitting to yourself that you are experiencing troubles about your opinion of yourself is a great start. Take a moment to reintroduce yourself to yourself. Think of the situations that bother you most and identify how you can change or alter their effects on you.

Next, be aware of your thoughts and beliefs about yourself. It’s hard to evaluate yourself but know that there are good qualities in you too. Your ideas can be positive or negative, even neutral. Try to understand why you have these perceptions of yourself and find ways to redirect your thoughts.

Conclusion

The most important thing about overcoming low self-esteem is that it takes time. Don’t be too hard on yourself and invest in making every day a step to becoming better. Never rush, and always trust the process. In the end, you’ll look back and realize you’ve come a long way from where you started.

It’s important to know you’re not alone. Thriving Center of Psychology offers online counseling services for people experiencing negative thoughts about themselves. Through our experienced mental help therapists, we’ll help you realize that you are much more than your thoughts. Visit our website today and schedule an appointment right away. We’ll be waiting for you.