Low Self-Esteem

Individuals with low self-esteem tend to be critical of themselves. Some depend on the approval and praise of others when evaluating self-worth. Others may measure in terms of successes; some will accept themselves only if they succeed, not if they fail. 

A person with low self-esteem may show some of the following characteristics:

• Heavy self-criticism and dissatisfaction
• Hypersensitivity to criticism with resentment against critics and feelings of being attacked
• Chronic indecision and an exaggerated fear of mistakes
• Excessive desire to please and unwillingness to displease others
• Perfectionism, which can lead to frustration when perfection is not achieved
• Neurotic guilt, dwelling on or exaggerating the magnitude of past mistakes
• General hostility and defensiveness or irritability without any clear cause
• Pessimism and a general negative outlook
• Envy and overall resentment
• Tendency to view temporary setbacks as permanent, intolerable conditions
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