Low Self-Esteem

Low Self-Esteem: Overview

Positive self-esteem improves one's health, sociability and general attitude towards life.  Of all the judgments you make in life, few are as important as the one you make about yourself.  The difference between low self-esteem and high self-esteem is the difference between passivity and action; between failure and success. Having a positive self-image is sometimes frowned upon in certain belief systems.  Labels such as pride, arrogance, and conceit can sometimes cause us to consciously impose a more negative view of ourselves than is warranted.  While arrogance and selfishness should be guarded against, the fear of them should not be an excuse for maintaining or wallowing in low self-esteem.

Negative self-esteem is a habit – a highly addictive habit – and there is little good or worthwhile about having a low opinion of oneself.  Habits can be changed.

References and Further Information

Books that others have found useful for evaluating, understanding and improving low sef-esteem include:
  • Breaking the Chain of Low Self-Esteem by Marilyn J.  Sorensen
  • The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem or How to Raise Your Self-Esteem by Nathaniel Branden.

Risk factors for Low Self-Esteem:


Symptoms - Mind - General


Low Self-Esteem suggests the following may be present:



Recommendations for Low Self-Esteem:


Posture Improvement is highly recommended for Low Self-Esteem Posture Improvement





Mental Exercises is highly recommended for Low Self-Esteem Mental Exercises

A useful technique for increasing self-esteem is to talk oneself into it – this is called the argumentative technique.  You should come up with counter-arguments against low self esteem, just as if you were participating in a debate.  This can be a down and dirty process and it's pretty much no holds barred.  Using every argument at your disposal, counter the thoughts, concepts and emotions that are currently convincing you that you aren't worth much.  When you "hear" yourself thinking a thought such as "You do that every time... how could you be so stupid?", respond in some positive manner to that thought.  Examples might include:

  • Establish perspective.  "Hey, that wasn't so bad, get off my case."
  • Ridicule the opposition.  "How do you expect me to learn if I don't make mistakes?"
  • Poke holes in its logic.  "No, I don't do that every time, just occasionally, and I'm working on why it happens."
  • Pull out examples from your past when you've exhibited your value and use them in this argument.  "I may be weak in this area but I'm good at (fill in the blank).  Everyone has strengths and weaknesses."
Do not let the negative self-talk continue unchallenged.  Use of the argumentative technique demands that you refuse to be convinced of the opposing side's position.  It may try and use deep emotions in its counter-attacks such as depression, despair of ever being good enough or worthlessness.

These counter arguments are knee-jerk conditioned reflexes.  This part of the self really isn't very intelligent.  It can only repeat what it's been told by yourself and others as well as create the accompanying emotions.  It just isn't reasonable to allow oneself to be persuaded by inner voices without challenging them or allowing moodiness to take over.

These inner voices have been generated by someone at some point in time and you can change them; you can alter the program that plays in your mind.  Your input is vital in diminishing the thought processes and arguments that put you down.  Although you may have failed over and over in some area, letting it get you down doesn't do any good and the tendency to fail or the unwillingness to try new things (because you might fail) will spread to other areas of your life.


Weak or unproven link: may increase risk of; may suggest
Weak or unproven link:
may increase risk of; may suggest
Strong or generally accepted link: often suggests
Strong or generally accepted link:
often suggests
Definite or direct link: increases risk of
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Definitely or absolutely counter-indicates: decreases risk of
Definitely or absolutely counter-indicates:
decreases risk of
Very useful: is highly recommended for
Very useful:
is highly recommended for