ISSUES
: Body Confidence
Chapter 2: Self-esteem
30
If we were treated positively, valued
and nurtured as children, chances are
we have high self-esteem.
If we were neglected, given negative
messages, such as being told we
were “stupid” or “bad”, chances are
we have lower self-esteem.
Though childhood provides the
foundation for our self-esteem, it is
hoped as we get older and gain a
sense of self that external influences
have less impact on our self-esteem.
How can I change my self-
esteem?
Ö
Let go of negative messages we
received as children
Ö
Notice and stop negative self-talk
Ö
Don’t call yourself, “dumb”, “fat”,
“ugly”, “weak”, “a failure”, “an
idiot”
Ö
Notice the things you like about
yourself
Ö
You canwork to change the things
you don’t like about yourself
Ö
There is no such thing as being
perfect, so let go of that idea
Ö
Take responsibility for your
actions
Ö
Think openly and critically about
feedback from others
Ö
Don’t base your self-worth on
messages from the media
Ö
Raising self-esteem takes time,
patience and hard work. It’s not
easy, but it can be done!
Ö
Develop a sense of who you are
as an individual
Ö
Surround yourself with people
who care and support you for
who you are.
Ö
The above information is
reprinted with kind permission
from the University of New
Hampshire Health Services.
Please visit unh.edu for further
information.
© University of New Hampshire
Health Services 2016
Consequences of low
self-esteem
How is low self-esteem
related to mental health?
Low self-esteem is not a recognised
mental health problem, but self-
esteem and mental health are closely
related.
Low self-esteem can lead to
mental health problems
Ö
Negative
thinking
patterns
associated with low self-esteem,
such as assuming you will fail at
things you do, can develop over
time and lead to mental health
problems such as depression or
anxiety.
Ö
Low self-esteem can make
it hard to try new things or
complete tasks, such as starting
a new hobby or completing a job
application. This can stop you
from living your life the way you
want, and lead to frustration and
depression over time.
Ö
If you find certain situations
difficult because of low self-
esteem, you may start to avoid
them and become increasingly
socially isolated. This can
cause feelings of anxiety and
depression that can develop
into mental health problems over
time.
Ö
Low self-esteem can cause
people to develop unhelpful
behaviours as a way of coping,
such as forming damaging
relationships, taking drugs or
drinking too much. This often
causes problems in the long term
and makes life more difficult,
which can then lead to mental
health problems.
Mental health problems can
cause low self-esteem
Some mental health problems, such
as eating problems, depression and
social phobia, involve developing
negative thinking patterns about
yourself.
Ö
A mental health problem can
make it hard to do day-to-day
tasks, such as using public
transport or maintaining a paid
job. This can have a negative
impact on the way you see
yourself.
Ö
A mental health problem could
cause you to withdraw from
social contact, if you are worried
how other people may see you.
This can lead to feelings of
isolation and loneliness, which
can then cause low self-esteem.
Ö
Stigma and discrimination about
mental health problems could
mean you develop a negative
opinion about yourself.
Cycle of low self-esteem and
mental health problems
Low self-esteem and mental health
problems can reinforce each other,
creating an unhelpful cycle.
What can I do to build my
self-esteem?
In order to increase your self-esteem,
you need to challenge and change
the negative beliefs you have about
yourself. This might feel like an
impossible task, but there are a lot
of different techniques you can try to
help you.
Do something you enjoy
Doing something that you enjoy, and
that you are good at, can help build
your confidence and increase your
self-esteem. This could be anything
from paid work, volunteering, caring
or a hobby.
Work
Work can provide identity, friendship,
a steady routine and a salary. Some
people thrive in a busy environment
and enjoy working to ambitious
targets. Other people see their job as
a means to an end or work in unpaid,
volunteering roles. Whatever you do,
it is important that you feel confident
and supported in your role, and that
the balance between your work and
your home-life feels right for you. (See
Mind’s booklet
How to be mentally
healthy at work
for information about
looking after your mental health while
in paid employment.)
