WHAT ARE SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES?
Your self-esteem is the degree to which you feel valuable and worthy of respect, closely related to your confidence levels. Self-esteem exists on a wide spectrum, ranging from very high to very low or non-existent. For individuals struggling with low self-esteem, there is often a marked impact on their well-being and overall quality of life.
Self-esteem issues are not an official condition diagnosed by the APA; however, they are often a sign of a more significant mental health condition.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES
While we all have our “bad days” on which we feel uncertain about ourselves and our place in the world, self-esteem issues are typically a chronic struggle for sufferers. There are many different ways that low self-esteem may be expressed, with a few common patterns often observed in children and adults:
- Imposter Syndrome: Often associated with a high level of perfectionism or chronic procrastination, Imposter Syndrome is one’s belief that they are a highly flawed individual that is simply “fooling everyone” into believing they are successful. An intense fear that failure will ruin this imagined façade can lead to an individual’s use of false confidence or personal achievements to hide insecurities.
- Rebellion: In this case, individuals may act as if they don’t care what others think of them. It is common for self-esteem issues to be expressed as anger or blame, resulting in the defiance of authority.
- Victimhood: Individuals accused of “playing the victim” often deal with significant self-esteem issues and truly believe they are incapable of handling the challenges that come their way. Rather than make attempts to resolve their struggles, these individuals may find themselves relying on others or feeling overwhelmed by feelings of self-pity.
Other common signs of self-esteem issues include:
- Self-criticism (poor self-talk or negative thoughts)
- Loss of interest in hobbies
- Feelings of guilt, anger, or sadness
- Self-destruction behaviors
- Mental health concerns
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SELF ESTEEM ISSUES
Diagnosing self-esteem issues is often one part of a more extensive mental health diagnosis, as low self-esteem is frequently a sign of other conditions. Elevate Psychiatry is well-equipped to help patients begin improving low self-esteem and resolve related conditions as needed.