Self-Esteem Issues

What is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It is based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves. It refers to our self-worth or self-evaluation.

Why is self-esteem important to mental health?

Self-esteem is important to mental health because having low self-esteem is often an indication of a mental illness. People with low self-esteem can be at risk of developing further mental health problems such as depression or anxiety, or they can even be suicidal. On the other hand, having high self-esteem is an indication of healthy living or optimal functioning. People with high self-esteem are mostly high achievers. How do you know people with low self-esteem?

People with low self-esteem may exhibit the following:

• They often condemn themselves and blame themselves for events occurring around them

• They feel that they do not deserve good things

• They have difficulty making their choices

• People with low self-esteem mostly do not have clear boundaries

• They often do things to please others

• They may also experience daytime drowsiness

• They find a lot of faults in themselves

What are the causes of low self-esteem?

Low self-esteem can be caused by mainly psychological and social factors.

Psychological factors such as personal experiences, personality differences, and learning or cognitive biases.

Social factors such as the environments that we live in or the friends/peers we keep.

How can people with low self-esteem be helped?

People with low self-esteem can be helped through:

Psychological interventions such as psychotherapy, exposure therapy, or relaxation training.

Lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise, adequate sleep, healthy eating or forming friends/acquaintances who are positive people.