It is often said that we are our worst critics; we always find fault with things we do and spend time reliving an embarrassing situation where we think we could have done better.
According to Mind, people with low self-esteem often have negative beliefs about themselves and tend to focus on weaknesses or mistakes they have made. Sometimes it can be hard for them to recognise the positive parts of their personality.
The NHS states that low self-esteem often begins in childhood. Teachers, friends, siblings, parents, and even the media give us lots of messages – both positive and negative. But, for some reason, the message that we are not good enough is the one that sticks.
Some people may have found it difficult to live up to other people’s expectations of themselves and even their own expectations, while stress and difficult life events, such as serious illness or a bereavement, can have a negative effect on self-esteem, the NHS adds.
Personality can also play a part. Some of us are simply more prone to negative thinking, while others set impossibly high standards for themselves.
“Low self-esteem often changes people’s behaviour in ways that act to confirm the person isn’t able to do things or isn’t very good,” says Chris Williams, Professor of Psychosocial Psychiatry at the University of Glasgow.
And while some people manage, more and more people are showing signs of over-anxiety, which leads to stress, which can make a significant impact on the quality of life and wellbeing.
Challenging those negative thoughts and building confidence can be successfully done with hypnotherapy. By eliminating self doubt, you will generate a more positive future, improving self image and increasing determination.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH) holds a large register of independent hypnotherapists in the United Kingdom and strives to maintain the highest standards among its members.
Statistics show that about one in seven people are suffering from stress or anxiety at any one time in the UK and much of this can be brought about by a lack of self confidence.
“In the short term, avoiding challenging and difficult situations makes you feel a lot safer,” says Professor Williams. “In the longer term, this avoidance can actually backfire because it reinforces your underlying doubts and fears. It teaches you the unhelpful rule that the only way to cope is by avoiding things.”
Living with low self-esteem can harm your mental health, leading to problems such as depression and anxiety. You may also develop unhelpful habits, such as smoking and drinking too much, as a way of coping.
So, if you are battling with a low self-esteem and a lack of confidence, look up an NCH hypnotherapist near you by using the Council’s directory. It can be the first positive step you take in gaining self confidence.