What is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem refers to the beliefs and opinions that we have about ourselves and the value we place on ourselves as a person.                                                

Low self-esteem is about having a low opinion about ourselves and placing a general negative value on ourself.

 

How is low self-esteem understood in CBT?

This low opinion can affect how we think, feel and behave in response to certain situations.  This creates and maintains vicious cycles, which result in us frequently feeling very low or anxious.

 

How Does Low Self-Esteem Develop?

Self esteem stems from internal beliefs about ourselves. We may see these beliefs as facts and a reflection of the truth.  However, they are actually opinions, not facts.  These opinions can be inaccurate or wrong.                                            These beliefs about ourselves are learned as a result of experiences we have had in our lives.

These experiences lead us to make judgements about ourselves based on the same things we heard as children from parents/ teachers etc.  These can generally be summed up in “I am…” phrases, such as “I am useless”.  These are often said to ourselves as we compare ourselves to others.

These phrases can make perfect sense to the individual but they are often biased and inaccurate.

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If you have low self esteem you are probably quick to notice something about yourself which you do not like.  Additionally, you probably find it very difficult to notice anything that you do like.

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How can CBT help?

To boost your self-esteem, you need to identify the negative beliefs you have about yourself, then challenge them. CBT can be very beneficial in helping to challenge these thoughts and associated behaviours.