Do you have low self-esteem?

Low self-esteem affects how you think, behave and feel, both emotionally and in your body. Here are some common experiences described by people who struggle with low self-esteem:

How your body might feel

• Tired / fatigued
• Low in energy
• Headaches
• Tension
• Blushing or feeling hot in public

Thoughts you might have

• You might have thoughts that you’re not good enough
• You might think that other people view you in a negative way
• Blaming yourself for things that aren’t your fault
• Assuming that you can’t do things before you’ve even tried
• Brooding on your mistakes or on things you think you’ve not done well

Feelings you might have

• Anxiety
• Shame
• Guilt
• Low mood
• Flat or fed up
• Hopelessness
• Anger

Things you might do

• Pass on new experiences or challenges because you believe you’ll fail
• Try to achieve perfection most of the time, or have standards that are unrealistically high
• Avoid scenarios that put you in the spotlight (e.g. speaking out, competitive sports, putting yourself out there in friendships and relationships)
• Seek excessive approval or reassurance from others
• Not be assertive and say “sorry” all the time
• Comfort eat or over-control what you eat

If  any of  these  sound  familiar, you can find out more about low self-esteem in the ‘Learn’ section of this website. You’ll also find some helpful tips and advice on improving your self-esteem in the ‘Manage’ section.