How to Overcome Low Self-Esteem

What is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It’s based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves, which can sometimes feel really difficult to change.

Your self-esteem can affect whether you:

like and value yourself as a person
are able to make decisions and assert yourself
recognise your strengths and weaknesses
Are able to try new or difficult things
show kindness towards yourself
move past mistakes without blaming yourself unfairly
take the time you need for yourself
believe you matter and are good enough
believe you deserve happiness.

What is Low Self-Esteem?

Low self-esteem is characterized by a lack of confidence and feeling bad about oneself. People with low self-esteem often feel unlovable, awkward, or incompetent.

Causes of Low Self-Esteem

The things that affect our self-esteem differ for everyone. Your self-esteem might change suddenly, or you might have had low self-esteem for a while – which might make it hard to recognise how you feel and make changes.

Difficult or stressful life experiences can often be a factor, such as:

being bullied or abused
experiencing prejudice and discrimination
losing your job or difficulty finding employment
problems at work or while studying
ongoing stress
physical health problems
relationship problems, separation or divorce
worries about your appearance and body image
problems with money or housing.

You might have had some of these experiences, and you might also have had difficulties that aren’t listed here.

Is Low Self-Esteem a Mental Health Problem?

Having low self-esteem isn’t a mental health problem in itself, but they are closely linked. If lots of things affect your self-esteem for a long time, this might lead to mental health problems (for example depression or anxiety).

Some of the experiences of low self-esteem can be signs of a mental health problem, particularly if they last for a long time or affect your day-to-day life. For example:

feeling hopeless or worthless
blaming yourself unfairly
hating yourself
worrying about being unable to do things.

Having a mental health problem can also cause you to have low self-esteem, and it might feel harder to cope or take steps to improve your self-esteem.