
Having a low self-esteem is something many people of all ages deal with. While a low self-esteem is not considered a mental health condition in and of itself, the way we think about ourselves directly impacts our overall well-being and mental health.
What is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem refers to the way you feel about yourself. If you have a healthy or high self-esteem you think positively about yourself and your abilities. You believe you’re are deserving of respect and have no problems setting healthy boundaries.
However if you have low self-esteem, you probably do not feel very good about yourself. You may constantly measure yourself against others and always come up short. You may not think you are worthy of love and respect and will typically not set healthy boundaries, allowing others to take advantage of you.
How Does a Low Self-Esteem Affect Mental Health?
The following are some ways a low self-esteem can impact a person’s mental health:
Poor Relationships
Human beings are wired for connections. But when we have low self-esteem, we tend to not put ourselves “out there” socially and even tend to isolate, which can lead to poor relationships and loneliness.
Addiction
Studies have indicated low self-esteem in childhood can lead to addictions later in life. Mandy addicts use alcohol and other substances as a way to cope with negative feelings about themselves.
Depression and Anxiety
Living with low self-esteem day after day, week after week, can very much take its toll and eventually lead to the development of depression and anxiety.
How to Build Your Self-Esteem
Building self-esteem is important for mental health and to live a happy life. But it’s not necessarily easy to do it. It’s not like losing weight where you can say I am going to eat less and move more.
That is why I recommend working with a trained therapist who specializes in helping people build their self-esteem. A therapist can help you identify your core negative beliefs and determine where they came from. He or she can then help you develop a new, realistic self-esteem that reflects who you truly are.
If you or someone you know is suffering with low self-esteem it is likely affecting not only their relationship with themselves but also their relationships with others. Maybe there’s a conversation you need to have with someone in your life about something that’s important to you. Mediation might be able to help. Contact us to learn more.
SOURCES:
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/July-2016/Why-Self-Esteem-Is-Important-for-Mental-Health
https://www.hormona.io/why-self-esteem-affects-your-mental-health/
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