by Counsellor, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

Many people come to see me because they feel that their confidence is low. Sometimes they say that they have low self esteem.

The following may indicate low self esteem:

• Social withdrawal
• Feeling anxious
• Depression
• Poor self care
• Lack of compassion to self
• Negative outlook
• Low expectations for self
• Blaming oneself if things go wrong
• Constantly seeking approval from others

The kinds of thoughts people with low confidence or low self esteem may have may include:

No one likes me.

Nothing ever goes right for me.

I can’t trust myself.

I never know what to say to others.

I worry in case people don’t like me.

If someone is in a bad mood it’s usually because I’ve messed up.

Why do People Suffer from Low Self Esteem?

There is no easy answer to this. It may be that a lack of confidence develops in childhood and continues into adulthood. Sometimes life events, such as redundancy, divorce, bereavement, precipitate low confidence.

Is it Possible to Develop Confidence?

Counselling may be helpful to explore how you are feeling and to examine the events which underpin these feelings. Many people find that having the opportunity to talk through how they are feeling without being judged or given advice enables them to see changes that they could make in their lives in order to live in a more fulfilled way.

Copyright Christine Bonsmann. All rights reserved.