What are the characteristics of people with low self-esteem

People with low self-esteem often exhibit characteristics such as self doubt, excessive sensitivity, and avoidance of challenges. Low self-esteem may be caused by childhood experiences, negative evaluations, social comparisons, perfectionism tendencies, traumatic events, and other factors.

1. Self denial

Individuals with low self-esteem often belittle their own value and attribute failure to insufficient personal abilities rather than external factors. When faced with praise, show discomfort or doubt, tend to use negative words to describe oneself, such as thinking that one does not deserve success. This mindset may stem from a long-term neglected or devalued upbringing environment.

2. Over sensitivity

is extremely sensitive to others' evaluations and easily interprets neutral comments as criticism. Frequent worry about rejection in social interactions may lead to strong emotional reactions due to subtle negation. Some people may develop defensive coping strategies, such as preemptively belittling themselves to avoid being denied by others.

3. Avoid challenges

Due to the fear of failure, avoid new opportunities and often set goals below their ability range. May refuse promotion competition in work and avoid participating in difficult tasks in learning. This avoidance behavior will form a vicious cycle, further strengthening my self-awareness that I am not capable of.

4. Pleasing behavior

Obtaining recognition by excessively catering to others makes it difficult to express genuine needs and opinions. Often in a passive position in a relationship and may tolerate unfair treatment. This pattern is often related to the early need to please caregivers in order to gain attention.

5. Somatic response

Long term low self-esteem may be accompanied by sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, or digestive problems. Some people may experience physiological symptoms of social anxiety, such as increased heart rate and sweating. These reactions are manifestations of psychological stress at the physical level. Improving low self-esteem requires gradually establishing positive self dialogue, recording daily small achievements, and challenging negative cognition. Participate in group activities to receive supportive feedback and develop at least one skill that can bring a sense of control. Regular exercise helps regulate emotions, ensure adequate sleep, and maintain psychological energy. If you have long-term difficulties, it is recommended to seek professional psychological counseling and reshape your self-evaluation system through interventions such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Be careful to avoid making one-sided comparisons with others, as everyone's growth pace and life trajectory are unique.