How Your Self-Esteem Affects Your Mental Health
Having a low self-esteem is something many people of all ages deal with. While a low self-esteem is not considered a mental health condition itself, the way we think about ourselves directly impacts our mental health and overall well-being.
What is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem refers to the way people feel about themselves. Someone with a healthy or high self-esteem thinks positively about themselves and their abilities. They believe they are deserving of respect and are able to set healthy boundaries.
Individuals with low self-esteems do not feel very good about themselves. They often measure themselves against others and always come up short. They may not think they are worthy of love and respect and will typically not set healthy boundaries, allowing others to take advantage of them.
How Does a Low Self-Esteem Affect Mental Health?
The following are some ways a low self-esteem can impact a person’s mental health:
Poor Relationships
Human beings are wired for connections. But when we have low self-esteem, we tend to not put ourselves “out there” socially and even tend to isolate, which can lead to poor relationships and loneliness.
Addiction
Studies have indicated low self-esteem in childhood can lead to addictions later in life. Individuals struggling with addiction may use alcohol and other substances as a way to cope with negative feelings about themselves.
Depression and Anxiety
Living with low self-esteem day after day, week after week, can take its toll and increase the likelihood of developing depression and/or anxiety.
How to Build Your Self-Esteem
Building self-esteem is important for mental health and improving your well-being. But it’s not necessarily easy to do it. I recommend working with a trained therapist who specializes in helping people build their self-esteem. A therapist can help you identify your core negative beliefs and determine where they came from. He or she can then help you find a path to developing a new, realistic self-esteem that reflects who you are!
If you or someone you know struggle with low self-esteem and would like to explore this further , please reach out today.
SOURCES:
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/July-2016/Why-Self-Esteem-Is-Important-for-Mental-Health
https://www.hormona.io/why-self-esteem-affects-your-mental-health/