What Causes It?
There is no one cause for low self-esteem. It can be due to a variety of factors. It often results from the combination of a few factors. You can develop low self-esteem if you struggle with a mental disorder such as anxiety or depression. It can also be a result of uninvolved caregivers, bullying (social media bullying also applies), social media addiction especially if you are consuming content that sets unrealistic expectations. Additionally academic challenges such as having difficulty in school or a traumatic experience. No matter what the cause may be, know that there is room to seek support and help. You can get this in the form of a support system which can be of friends, family, colleagues etc. If you feel like you need more support then it is worth considering professional help/treatment. You can consider consulting a psychotherapist to battle the negative self-image.
Building Confidence and Loving Yourself
Low self-esteem can impact your confidence negatively resulting in a lack of confidence and the tendency to look down upon yourself. It is important to address this problem and start to build your confidence back and take steps to show yourself that you are worthy of love. You may find it helpful to identify the negative thought patterns that surround you. Reflect on the negative things you tell yourself and ask yourself whether that is really true or are you making generalizations. It can be helpful to work on addressing your cognitive distortions. Cognitive distortions are exaggerated thought patterns that are usually negative in nature. Recognizing these can help you better differentiate between facts and feelings. If you need help in understanding your distortions and how you can address them, it is helpful to seek expert help in the form of psychotherapy or coaching.
Additionally, you can help your self-esteem by starting to do acts of self-kindness. This helps you value yourself and begin to work on a better relationship with yourself. This is an important step in the treatment of low self-esteem. It is recommended that you practice self-care activities that leave you feeling refreshed.
Common Treatments
There are a few common treatments that you can consider to help you with your low self-esteem. Two of them are mentioned above, that is building up your confidence and taking steps to show yourself some love. One of the most common and effective ways to help with negative self-image is cognitive behavior therapy. A psychotherapist can work with you to come up with a treatment plan. Apart from psychotherapy, it is worth building a support group that can help you with your self-esteem. It can be good to surround yourself with positive people who see the good in you and can remind you of all the good things that you are and are capable of. Uplifting company can really help you.
Moreover, you may benefit from seeking support through sub-communities and groups available on 7 Cups. Having people hear you out can make a difference. It is recommended that you reach out to a listener to seek support and discuss ways that you can work towards better self-esteem. You can also try out our growth paths. They can help you stay consistent in your efforts to improve your self-esteem.
Physical Symptoms
Low self-esteem does not limit itself to mental symptoms such as anxiety but it can also cause physical symptoms. People experiencing low self-esteem may experience changes in appetite, appearance, activity, and even productivity. For example, someone may change their dressing sense, hairstyle, or even posture. Additionally, the struggling person may also start to change the physical activity routine ranging from either increasing or decreasing exercise. They may also start to avoid social activities due to a lack of confidence and an overall negative sense of self.
Moreover, changes in appetite may occur and the person may also experience disordered eating in the form of either eating less or comfort eating. They may not like eating around people or become selective in their food choices. The physical symptoms differ from person to person. It is possible that some people have more physical symptoms while others struggle more on an emotional level.
Dealing with a Negative Self Image Through Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy can be one of the most effective treatments for negative self-image. A psychotherapist can help you identify the reasons for your low self-esteem which is especially helpful as knowing the causes allows you to better remove those factors from your life. Additionally, psychotherapy can help you address any mental health disorders that may have been associated with low self-esteem. The treatment plan can include activities that you can consistently do to uplift your self-esteem, steps to build your self-confidence, and what you can do to remove the factors that are contributing to your negative self-image.
It can be challenging to overcome these factors but your wellbeing is far more important and you deserve to feel good about yourself. Having a psychotherapist to coach you through the process can be a vital part of your healing journey. You do not have to rely just on therapy to feel better but it can be a powerful part of your support system. If you have been trying to improve your self-esteem but have not been successful in the past then it is a good indication that you may need expert help. Experts can help you achieve your goals and make sense of your feelings.