Causes of Low Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is the essence of living with positivity and responding to life's difficulties in a realistic way. Self-esteem of a person has the potential to make or break him in his personal and professional life. Low self-esteem is the result of untoward incidences from childhood that has prompted a person to go into the shell of aloofness. The end result of low self-esteem usually leads to self degradation which robs a person of self-confidence and rational thinking.

Low self-esteem makes a person face life with indifference and negative attitude. They influence emotions of people and have the potential to cause serious consequences. People who are not strong enough to deal with low self-esteem, can destroy their own life. Low self-esteem is responsible for causing extreme emotions that can lead to depression, suicide attempts, mental and physical disorders, teenage pregnancy or even child delinquency. Low self-esteem is also responsible for violence in adolescents which cause irreparable mental and physical damage.

Common Causes of Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem is caused by factors depending on the background and status of the person, his surroundings, age, association with the outside world, etc. To be able to successfully deal with these problems, one has to first determine the causes of lowered self-esteem. The best way to deal with any problem is to look at the mistakes made in the past.

• Negligence: Children brought up in conditions where love and affections is lacking, feel abandoned and insignificant as they grew up. They find it very difficult to trust people and mix up with them.
• Excessive Criticism: When a child is constantly reminded that he is no-good, it results in depression and the child loses his self-confidence. Such events create a feeling of worthlessness, making them pessimistic and hesitant from doing anything positive.
• Influence of Parents and Family: Parents tend to influence a child with the reflection of their unfulfilled dreams. They make the mistake of choosing a career that the children are not happy to follow.
• Achievements: People work to achieve success in their life and when they fail after working hard, they treat failure as the ultimate truth which results in loss of self-esteem.
• Physical Appearance: The physical impression of a person is very important as it is the most influential. People with bad looks feel inferior when compared with a better looking person. These create a feeling of repulsion, which isolates them from an active social life.
• Negative Experience: Some low self-esteem issues are caused due to negative experience. Children tend to take in the negativity around them. Adults too indulge in certain activities that can harm a person's self-esteem.
• Child Abuse: Most people with low self-esteem have a history of both physical and mental abuse during their childhood. Abuse of physical nature, including sexual abuse, can be treated to an extent, however, mental abuse is deep rooted and extremely difficult to treat. The most likely culprit of child abuse are family friends, relatives, neighbors, strangers and foster or step parents.
• Unemployment: A person who is unemployed feels useless and helpless. The failure to provide for their family, creates a feeling of low self-esteem.

Characteristics of a Person with Low Self-Esteem

People suffering from low self-esteem have these basic symptoms which are not easy to notice.

1. They lack social skills and self-confidence, which makes them avoid social life.
2. They have a disturbed and depressed appearance most of the time.
3. They suffer from eating disorders such as anorexia leading to obesity, which is harmful for their body.
4. They suffer from negative thoughts and fail to recognize their potential.
5. They fear criticism and take compliments negatively.
6. They are afraid to take up responsibilities.
7. They are afraid of forming their own opinion.
8. They live a pessimistic lifestyle.

Tips to Fight Low Self-Esteem Issues

1. Always avoid negative situations.
2. Try to get into a company of positive people.
3. Use a journal to record the positive things happening around you.
4. Always have positive thinking.
5. Do not hesitate to seek help in difficult times.
6. Seek professional assistance to deal with serious problems.

A good thing about life is, that it provides us with the capability to deal with any situation that we face, including low self-esteem. Let's not make the feeling of low esteem prevent us from leading a happy life.