Self-esteem: how do we manage when it is low?

Esteem, one of the major problems in psychology , is the set of opinions, ideas, images and emotions shape the valuation we have of ourselves in different aspects of our life: who we are, what we deserve or what we can.

The development of self-esteem we locate during childhood and adolescence. The causes of low self-esteem are in the upbringing and educations based on the assessment, that is, in often evaluate the child, either positively or negatively, in their behavior, trends and opinions. The imbalance towards criticism further increases the likelihood of low self-esteem in a child or adolescent. In many cases, life becomes a "have to be" in a particular way, whether the person is well or not, or want to be so or not.

A child deserves to be loved by his people closest unconditionally, whatever it is and whatever you do. This does not imply the total permissiveness. The limits should be raised by caregivers and family firm and loving way, and above all, without questioning the child as a whole. An unconditional and firm approach allows the child the freedom to be who he is but within the limits with the outside world and with other people around you.

Consequences of low self-esteem

Low self-esteem produces very large problems in almost all areas of life of a person. It is a source of great anxiety and blocks people when they must make decisions or take actions. It also makes the relationship with the other, either by a compulsive seeking of approval or by reactive behaviors for fear of rejection.

Treatment of low self-esteem

The work relies heavily on one's relationship with the therapist, nonjudgmental way of discovering how the person really is, and helping it to be accepted in all its aspects. This unprejudiced dialogue with the psychologist can construct an identity and facilitates to show to the world as it is one.

In consultation also we work the importance of acting consistently with what we feel and what we think. This, when done persistently, we help to strengthen respect for our emotions, our ideas, our personality and our world view, which is unique.

The aim is to help the person to see that live in your own skin is better than living in reflecting other or our own internalized judgment forces us to live, and it is possible to live well in this world being, no more not least ourselves.

For more information about working with self-esteem, go to www.vfcounselling.com