Are you struggling with low self esteem but don’t know it? Seeing value and worth in yourself despite what others think and what you go through is important to your overall wellbeing. It can affect how you think, feel, and act towards yourself, and also impact how you let others treat you. While many may think that low self-esteem looks like someone who is sitting alone by themselves not wanting to do anything all the time, it can actually manifest in a number of different ways, some which may surprise you.
We also made a video on the signs of low self esteem:
Writer: Isadora Ho
Script Manager: Kelly Soong
VO: Amanda Silvera (www.youtube.com/amandasilvera)
Animator: Avneet Kaur
YouTube Manager: Cindy Cheong
References
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Cherry, Kendra. “How To Stop Being A People-Pleaser”. Verywell Mind, 2021, www.verywellmind.com/how-to-stop-being-a-people-pleaser-5184412.
Ferdian Farhan, Febi. “The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy, Self-Control And Self-Esteem To Students Academic Procrastination”. SSRN Electronic Journal, 2020. Elsevier BV, doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3644522.
Gilbertson, Tina. “Signs Of Low Self-Esteem, Part III: Disinterest In Health And Passivity – Goodtherapy.Org Therapy Blog”. Goodtherapy.Org Therapy Blog, 2010, www.goodtherapy.org/blog/low-self-esteem-therapy/.
Hajloo, Nader. “Relationships between self-efficacy, self-esteem and procrastination in undergraduate psychology students.” Iranian journal of psychiatry and behavioral sciences vol. 8,3 (2014): 42-9.
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Muoio, Deb. “Dangerous Dualities: Perfectionism And Low Self-Esteem”. Blog.Archprofile.Com, 2015, blog.archprofile.com/archinsights/perfectionism-and-low-self-esteem.
Rufus, S. “11 Disguises Of Low Self-Esteem”. Psychology Today, 2021, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stuck/202107/11-disguises-low-self-esteem?utm_source=FacebookPost&utm_medium=FBPost&utm_campaign=FBPost.
Woolfe, Sam. “How Social Isolation Can Fuel Low Self-Esteem | Healthyplace”. Healthyplace.Com, 2019, www.healthyplace.com/blogs/buildingselfesteem/2019/8/how-social-isolation-can-fuel-low-self-esteem.
Treatment For Depression Requires More Than Medication
A comprehensive treatment for depression requires more than medication. It involves a combination of psychotherapy and therapy for the individual, family, and even a group. Individual therapy can address issues related to intimate relationships; group therapy brings people with similar illnesses together to help each other. Therapy sessions can range from one to several weeks, but ten to fifteen sessions are usually sufficient for significant improvement. There are no quick fixes for depression. Listed below are some of the best practices for coping with depression.
A primary care provider may diagnose depression, refer patients to mental health professionals, and perform a physical examination. During an examination, a health professional will ask about symptoms, their frequency, and what they mean to the individual. A blood test may be ordered to rule out medical causes of depression and treat any underlying conditions. Your healthcare provider may also order tests or other tests to determine whether there are other medical causes of depression. The evaluation will explore specific symptoms, as well as family and cultural factors.
When you suffer from depression, you may feel depressed more than usual, unable to face life’s daily tasks and responsibilities. You may withdraw from social activities and family relationships. Your performance at school and work may suffer. You may also resort to self-harm or suicide to cope with the pain. Even if you can overcome depression, you can get help for it. There is no cure for depression, but it can be treated. The sooner you get treatment, the better.
A medical professional can prescribe antidepressants to help with depression. These are FDA-approved medications. But they come with potential risks, so you should discuss them with your healthcare provider. When choosing a treatment for depression, you should consider your own medical history. There are various treatments available, including psychotherapy, antidepressants, and counseling. A medical professional can also refer you to a specialist in a specialty area if your symptoms are too severe for a single therapist.
Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapy are evidence-based treatments for depression. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for example, helps identify and change negative thinking patterns and behaviors. Some people benefit from family therapy or couples therapy, which aims to work together on the problems that contribute to depression. Other types of therapy, including problem solving therapy, are also available for depression. In some cases, people may respond better to both types of therapy. However, for many people, the combination of psychotherapy and medication may be most effective.
Antidepressants work by balancing certain chemicals in the brain. These chemicals include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Higher levels of these chemicals correlate with lower levels of depression. Various types of antidepressants differ in their effectiveness, and some may stay in the body for several days while others are taken regularly. Therefore, it is important to continue treatment even if you begin feeling better after a few weeks.
