Nine Symptoms of Low Self EsteemThe following symptoms of low self esteem can give you insight as to whether you or someone you know has issues with their self image and esteem. Having low self esteem can impact motivation levels, impede your ability to have healthy relationships, and interfere with your ability to accomplish your goals. Low self esteem may be manifested in one or more of the following symptoms. Strong Fear of RejectionOne of the more prevalent symptoms of low self esteem is a strong fear of rejection. With low self esteem, being rejected can be devastating- sending you into a slump or depression. As a result you may avoid any situation where you might face any sort of rejection.This ends up limiting your experiences and your options in life, and serves to reinforce negative feelings you may have about yourself. Self SabotageEngaging in self sabotage is another sign of low self esteem. Self sabotage occurs when things in your life are going better than what you think you deserve, so unconsciously you may take what seem like foolish actions that result in your life taking a turn for the worse.The negative beliefs you hold about yourself will influence the actions you take, and create results that confirm your self assessment. AvoidancePeople with low self esteem will go out of their way to avoid other people or situations that have are uncomfortable or level of degree of uncertainty. It is related to the fear of rejection, and results in behaviors and actions that lead to isolation. Unfortunately isolation will only strengthen feelings of low self esteem.Second GuessingConstantly second guessing decisions and actions is another of the symptoms of low self esteem. Low self esteem can impact your level of confidence in situations and cause you to worry about whether there was something else you should have done, or if you should have made a different decision.Taking Everything PersonallyPeople have bad days, sometimes reacting rudely, criticizing, or getting angry. With low self esteem, you might take all this personally. This can leave you feeling responsible for causing the behaviors of others, or feeling like you deserve the negative reactions that others exhibit.People PleaserAnother symptom of low self esteem is a tendency to try to make everyone around you happy, regardless of the cost to yourself. In this case, you may be putting other peoples' needs and wants ahead of your own.The problem with this is that when you don't take care of yourself, you lose the ability to really help other people. Everybody loses out in the end. ClingingIf you have low self esteem, once you have found acceptance with someone else or in a group, you will be very anxious not to lose the acceptance. Unfortunately this usually results in clinging too closely to the other person or group.This could involve excessive communication (always trying to keep tabs on the other person), doing things you wouldn't normally do just to be with the other person. The real symptom is on the excessive- when the other person or group becomes your entire focus, then it may be a sign of low self esteem. Self CriticismWith low self esteem, you are more likely to be highly self critical, focusing on errors and faults rather than on your successes and virtues.A pattern of self criticism reinforces your low self esteem and hinders your ability to feel good about yourself. When the self criticism gets excessive, it takes a major tool on your self esteem. DepressionDepression goes hand in hand with low self esteem. When you don't value yourself very highly, it is easy to sink into feelings of sadness and depression.Low self esteem will result in a lowered mood, a lethargy that can spiral into depression. Long term depression is a strong symptom of low self esteem, signaling that you should seek out help to improve your esteem levels. These common symptoms of low self esteem can help you to assess if there is an issue in yourself or someone you know that needs to be addressed. Take a look here for some tips on overcoming low self esteem or here for some self esteem exercises. If you feel like you have serious problems with depression or low self esteem, be sure to seek professional help to assist you in improving your esteem levels. Return from Symptoms of Low Self Esteem to Overcoming Low Self Esteem Return from Symptoms of Low Self Esteem to Self Motivation Strategies |
