Self Esteem is best described as the appraisal of yourself in either very specific or general situations based on past experiences and performance in those areas of life. For example your self-esteem as a spouse may differ from your self esteem as an employee. In each of these situations, the esteem fluctuates based on your most recent performance in that area as a spouse or an employee.
Self-Worth is best described as the appraisal of yourself as a whole person rooted in consistent expectations and perceived value of self. Who you are as a person is consistent. You are the constant from one situation to the next. Your worth follows you and plays a role in your self self esteem because your worth is the foundation that esteem is built upon. The stronger your self worth, the more resilient your self esteem will be.
These two terms tend to be used interchangeably, however, it’s best to evaluate them separately to fully understand how you view yourself and the best way to improve it. A person’s self-esteem is often strongly connected to their body image. Body Image refers to the belief one holds about their body and, just like self-esteem, is based on past experiences and perceptions about their body. Counseling can provide empowering assistance in examining distorted body image, addressing health issues related to the body, and improving self-esteem.
Symptoms of low self esteem include:
- Negative self talk
- Perfectionism
- Fear of Rejection
- Fear of Intimacy
- Procrastination
- Over-apologizing
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Shame
- Social Isolation
When you become very critical of yourself it can be hard to gain perspective. Working with a counselor to build your self worth and self esteem can help you gain clarity get your life going in the direction you desire.
Helping Overworked Women
and Their Families Live a Life Without Regrets