Low Self Esteem

When you look in a mirror, who do you see? Do you see someone who is self-confident and able to rise to whatever challenges come his/her way? Or do you see someone who is destined to failure or just not measuring up to others' expectations?
Each of us has a mental picture of who we are, what we look like, and what we are capable of accomplishing. That picture contributes to how we feel about ourselves and how we project ourselves to others. It also results in the level of self-esteem we possess.

People with healthy self-esteem generally feel good about themselves. They are "comfortable in their own skin." They feel loved and affirmed by most other people. They take pride in their abilities and feel a sense of self-worth.
People with low self-esteem however have doubts about their abilities. They feel they are not deserving of respect or love, not only from others but from themselves.

Self-esteem is subject to many factors including age (during the teen years we make our way from being children to being adults) and life circumstances. The good news is that self-esteem is a "moving target." It is not fixed for life, and we always have the opportunity to improve how we see ourselves.

Your EAP counselor is specially trained to take stock of how you feel about yourself and come to terms with pressures or circumstances you are facing. Together you can develop a plan to improve your self-esteem and help you see the very best in that person looking back at you from the mirror.

If you are experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms, Please contact your EAP counselor.

• Constantly doubt themselves and do not trust their judgment
• Operate out of a fear of rejection and look for approval from friends, family and co-workers. 
• Are typically unassertive in their behavior with others.
• Blame themselves, often think everything is their fault.
• Seek the approval of others to be happy
• Are anxious about the future and are often depressed
• Have a tendency not to act. They become stuck and immobilized because they are afraid of failure.
• Sometimes over compensate and become over-achievers
• Can be perfectionists. Constantly seeking to improve themselves and their environment. They are never satisfied.
• Are constantly plagued with negative self talk and self doubt. They are unable to affirm themselves positively. .
• Are unable to make an honest assessment of their strengths, qualities, and good points; they find it difficult to accept compliments or recognition from others.
• Are insecure, anxious, and nervous when they are with others.
• Are easily overcome with despair and depression when they experience a setback or loss in their lives.
• Have a tendency to overreact and become de-energized by resentment, anger, and the desire for revenge against those whom they believe have not fully accepted them.
• Fulfill roles in their family that are counter-productive and co-dependent.
• Are vulnerable to mental health problems. They often use addictive behavior to medicate their emotional pain. Such addictive behavior can include alcohol, drugs, food, gambling, sex, shopping, smoking, working too much, or the endless search for truth.