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Alan "Low-Self-Esteem" Baker... someone who always "THINKS" he knows everything ABOUT everything and has to 
have the last word in ANY conversation or argument. That's why he HAS to reply to EVERY article I post, or it 
drives him crazy enough to not being able to sleep... since... you know... I'm just a big dumb jock and he's 
a smart gay fuck.

He CAN'T let me win. He'd can't sleep.

What is Low Self-Esteem?


Low self-esteem is when someone lacks confidence about who they are and what they can do. They often feel 
incompetent, unloved, or inadequate. People who struggle with low self-esteem are consistently afraid about 
making mistakes or letting other people down.


Having self-esteem issues can be detrimental to their health and negatively affect their personal and 
professional relationships. There are many reasons why they may have low self-esteem - their genes, how and 
where they grew up, and other life circumstances all play a role.


A major factor of low self-esteem, however, comes from their own mental state. Their inner voice, or the 
thoughts in their head, can be constantly telling them that they are not good enough or worth anything, even 
if there is evidence to the contrary. Negative thinking in general is linked to low self-worth and low self-
esteem.

Signs of Low Self-Esteem

There are several signs that either they or someone they know may be struggling with low self-esteem. Those signs of low self-esteem include:

Sensitivity to Criticism

If they have low self-esteem they may be extra sensitive to criticism, whether from others or themselves. They see it only as reinforcing their flaws and confirming that they are incapable of doing anything right.

Social Withdrawal


Declining invitations to go to a party or meet up with friends, canceling scheduled plans last-minute, and 
generally not wanting to be around others are signs of low self-esteem. They may not have any desire to hold 
a conversation or talk about their life because it will only reinforce the depression and anxiety they are 
already experiencing.

Hostility


For someone with low self-esteem, lashing out or becoming aggressive towards others is a defense mechanism. 
If they feel that they are about to be exposed or criticized, attacking whoever might criticize them can be a 
sign of low self-esteem.

Excessive Preoccupation with Personal Problems


Consistently worrying about their own personal issues takes up a lot of time for someone with low self-
esteem. They may struggle to help or empathize with someone else's problems because they are too preoccupied 
with their own.

Physical Symptoms 

Low self-esteem has been shown to lead to mental and physical health issues like depression, anxiety, and anorexia. It can also lead to unhealthy habits like smoking tobacco, alcohol abuse, or drug use.

Dealing with Low Self-Esteem

They can overcome low self-esteem with the right support, mindset, and change in behaviors. Start with these steps to begin improving their self-esteem:

Identify Troubling Conditions and Situations

Take a moment to think about certain conditions and situations in their life that seem to always deflate their self-esteem. It could be giving a work presentation, dealing with a difficult family member or friend, or facing a life-changing event, like a job loss or a move.

Become Aware of their Thoughts and Beliefs

After they've identified the times in their life where they have felt low self-esteem, evaluate their thoughts about they. How are they interpreting what happened? These thoughts could be either positive, negative, or neutral. They can be based on facts or irrational and false ideas. 

If they take a moment to notice what they are thinking, they can begin to understand whether or not their reactions to what has happened are appropriate and useful.

Challenge Negative or Inaccurate Thoughts

It is important to ask themselves whether their thoughts are consistent with facts or logic. There could be another explanation for a situation that is truer than their interpretation. Sometimes it is hard to break from long-held beliefs that have become part of their reality. Understand that it can take time and patience to overcome any negative preconceived notions toward their life that they've built up.

Adjust their mindset

They've been able to identify the times where they've felt a blow to their self-esteem. They've become self-aware about how and why they have the thoughts and feelings towards those events. Now they can take a step back and analyze those thoughts and emotions. them now have the power to change their thought patterns to raise their self-esteem. 

Remember to think and feel hopeful statements, focus on the positive aspects of all situations, and not be afraid to relabel upsetting thoughts. And most importantly, don't hesitate to forgive yourself. No one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes. It doesn't make them a bad person-it just makes them human.