Low self-esteem
Self-esteem is about how you value and perceive yourself. Low self-esteem involves a persistent negative perception of one’s own worth, abilities, and significance. This can affect all areas of life, from relationships and work to mental health and quality of life.
Low self-esteem can have roots in childhood experiences, bullying, criticism, trauma, or repeated negative experiences. The important thing to know is that self-esteem is not static – it can be strengthened through conscious work and professional help.
Symptoms
- Negative inner dialogue and self-criticism
- Feeling of not being good enough
- Difficulty accepting compliments
- Comparing oneself to others and feeling inadequate
- Avoiding new challenges for fear of failure
- Difficulty setting boundaries and saying no
- Excessive adaptation to others’ needs
- Perfectionism or procrastination
When should you contact a psychologist?
- Low self-esteem affects your quality of life
- You avoid situations or opportunities due to self-sabotage
- Low self-esteem affects relationships or job performance
- You experience anxiety or depression related to self-image
- You want to actively work on strengthening your self-esteem
Treatment
A psychologist at Eyr can help you identify and challenge the negative thought patterns that maintain low self-esteem. Through therapy, you can explore the origin of your self-perception, develop a more balanced and realistic self-understanding, and learn to treat yourself with more compassion. Concrete tools and exercises can strengthen self-esteem gradually over time.
