Do You Have Low Self-esteem? Here are the Causes and Treatment

Why do we see people achieving significant success while others cannot attain valuable things despite having the potential and skills? The answer lies in the following questions: “How do these people view themselves?” and “Is their self-esteem high or low?”

What is Self-esteem?

Self-esteem is the person's opinion about themselves, that is, their view of themselves. Medical, social, and psychological studies and research have confirmed that 95% of those who suffer from low self-esteem have a clear impact on their behavior, traits, and relationships with others, and they are often more susceptible to depression, anxiety syndromes, and pathological stress.

Self-esteem may be high, and a person has positive feelings about themselves, from self-satisfaction and confidence in their abilities and potential, so they do not condemn themselves to failure if they make a misstep. On the contrary, they accept the mistake and learn from it.

However, if self-esteem is low, people suffer from negative feelings and problems, do not feel good about themselves no matter what they have achieved and accomplished, do not trust their abilities, always feel incapable and undeserving, and condemn themselves to failure even before trying.

Reasons for low self-esteem

There are several reasons for low self-esteem, the most important of which are:

1. Reasons related to childhood

Things happen in human childhood that result in low self-esteem, so the child grows up suffering from this problem, such as lack of emotion and attention from parents because of their preoccupation, and also, comparing the child with others and notifying them that others are better, and the disintegration of the family in the case of divorce.

2. Trauma

Every human being experiences psychological trauma, but we react differently to it. Some people overcome it and learn from it, while others do not succeed in overcoming it and get out of its impact on their self-confidence and appreciation.

3. Poor self-confidence

One of the biggest causes of low self-esteem is the weakness of a person's belief in themselves and their abilities, and they are dominated by a feeling of helplessness and unable to change anything in their world.

4. Comparison with others

A person's comparison of themselves with others is a core reason for low self-esteem because whoever compares themselves to others and their achievement with the achievement of others and what they have with what others have is dominated by feelings of dissatisfaction, and that others are better than them, regardless of their circumstances and conditions, which makes their self-esteem low.

5. Obsession with perfection

Perfectionism destroys a person's self-esteem. Perfectionists are constantly dissatisfied with themselves, regardless of their successes. They see themselves as not good enough because they focus on perfection and the ideal state that is impossible to reach.

6. Pleasing others

Pleasing others is one of the most important reasons for low self-esteem. People forget themselves and what they love and want, focus on what others love and want, and continue giving, presenting, and exaggerating their appreciation and praise. The result is often exploitation by others and loss of their sense of being and existence.

7. Self-contempt

Self-contempt is one of the dangerous indicators of low self-esteem, such as the person despising themselves and looking down on themselves, and that they are a failed person who does not have the skill and intelligence, and that others are better than them in everything. They do not forgive themselves even for the simplest mistakes.

8. Rejection of the exterior

People's rejection or hatred of their external form leads to low self-esteem, affecting their whole life, behaviors, and relationships with others, as they turn into shy and introverted people who are afraid to present themselves for fear of others' comments or mocking them.

9. Excessive sensitivity

A person with excessive sensitivity suffers from low self-esteem and low self-confidence, does not accept any observation, takes every criticism personally, feels pain and discomfort, and enters a wave of sadness and depression.

10. Fear

People exaggerate their worries, fear adventure, and hesitate when making any decision, as they believe that failure is their ally in any step they take from low self-esteem; they do not trust themselves, doubt their abilities, and stay in their place.

11. Social Media

Studies on the impact of social media on those who use it frequently have proven that it has a significant role in a person's view of and appreciation of themselves without feeling it. Through success stories and pictures of an ideal life published by others, they are often unrealistic and make them feel that their life is unhappy and that they are less than others.

Ways to boost self-esteem

Mental health experts recommend some steps to enhance self-esteem, the most important of which are:

1. Goal planning

One of the most critical steps to enhance self-esteem is to rebuild goals and the mechanism for achieving them. That helps us focus on ourselves, and where we want to be, so our positive outlook returns to ourselves, and our enthusiasm returns to work to reach our goals.

2. Recording achievements

Experts advise that a person should record what they have accomplished daily. This method helps them re-evaluate themselves and their achievements and feel proud and self-confident of what they have achieved.

3. Avoid comparison

People must avoid comparing themselves with others. We have our abilities and features, and it is right to compare ourselves in the past with the present, discover our weaknesses, seek to correct them and develop ourselves.

4. Think positively

One of the most important tips for increasing self-esteem is to think positively, look at the half-full glass, focus on the solution, not the problem, stay away from negativity and pessimism, and believe in the ability of a person to overcome anything, no matter how severe.

5. Stop blaming yourself

We all make mistakes and fail. Mistakes are normal and healthy in life. Therefore, people must be aware of this idea, stop whipping and blaming themselves for mistakes, and believe they are failures. Instead, they view errors as an opportunity to learn.

6. Openness

One of the most effective ways to raise self-esteem is to open up to others and build relationships with them. The more lovable and successful a person is socially and has their status and value among people, the more positively reflected on their self-esteem. It is worth mentioning that selecting positive people who support and encourage them to develop and succeed is helpful.

7. Accept failure

It is critical that a person accepts failure in life, revisits the concept of failure and success, and understands that negative experiences are part of the human experience, which is a degree on the ladder of success.

8. Help others

Helping others returns to its provider with a massive dose of happiness, self-confidence, and inner strength, resulting from the feeling that their presence makes a difference in the lives of others.

9. Sport

Exercise is beneficial for both your physical and mental health, as studies have proven the effectiveness of sport in treating mental illness, discharging negative energy, and raising positive energy and self-esteem.

In conclusion, your self-esteem is the secret

If you want a happy life full of successes and achievements, you have to reconsider your self-esteem and remember that as you see yourself, others see you, and you see what you deserve to get.