Low self esteem and a lack of confidence aren't a mental health condition. However, there is a large correlation between a lack of confidence and experiencing low mental health well-being.
What are the signs of low self-confidence?
Low self-confidence can be easy to hide behind jokes and loud laughter, but it's important that you're able to recognize the signs, such as:
- Self-deprecating jokes, or joking about yourself negatively.
- Lack of control and unwillingness to take control.
- Problems asking for help or for what you need.
- Focusing on the negatives/failures in life, instead of the positives.
- Thinking others are better than you.
- Being overly upset by criticism or obsessively seeking the approval of others.
- Not accepting compliments.
- Struggling to establish and enforce boundaries.
- Thinking that you don't deserve certain things, but believing that everyone else does deserve them.
- Avoiding challenges.
- Feeling anxious, depressed, angry, worthless, or ashamed.
How can low self-confidence affect your life?
There are a number of ways that a low self-confidence can affect your life and those surrounding you, including:
- Poor relationships with loved ones. As our view of ourselves gets lower and lower, we often think that we are a burden on those around us. If you are experiencing lower views of yourself, you may pull away from your family and friends.
- More susceptible to addiction or substance abuse. If you have a low view of yourself, you care less about how things affect your body. Not only are you more likely to overeat, but you're also more likely to overindulge in substances.
- Increased depression and anxiety. Being more and more critical of yourself can lead to an increased anxiety and depression, as you think that others are thinking the things that you're thinking about yourself.
- More likely to develop a serious disorder. This can include social phobia, eating disorders, and suicidal ideology.
- And more.