• Question: What advice would you give to someone with a low self esteem?

    Asked by 399menb42 to Psychiatry Ward Team, Neel - Psychiatrist, Home Treatment Team, Early Intervention Team, Ed - Mental Health Nurse, Arts Therapy Team, Annabel - Head of HR on 29 Jan 2019.
    • Photo: Arts Therapy Team

      Arts Therapy Team answered on 29 Jan 2019:

      wish there was a magic wand
      its helpful for people to see where things come from e.g. if they were bullied, abused in the past or how they were treated in the family it affects how they see themselves now
      often it is going out and doing things helps people, and getting something positive back
      CBT is helpful so people can see patterns/ beliefs
      joining a therapy group can be good – you are not alone

    • Photo: Sheffield Psychiatry Ward Team

      Sheffield Psychiatry Ward Team answered on 29 Jan 2019:

      Emma here 🙂

      There are lots of self help guides available for people online or in books etc, so we often advise people to look at these which can help. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help people ‘re-wire’ some of their negative thoughts about themselves too.
      Low self esteem can be a symptoms of other illnesses too, e.g. depression.

      I think it is important to find something you enjoy or are good at – it could be that you enjoy art or writing, or that you’re a really good listener.

    • Photo: Home Treatment Team

      Home Treatment Team answered on 30 Jan 2019:

      I have always struggled with low self esteem as my early beginnings were difficult and i was a child bullied growing up in the 1960’s for looking different. I did not find the teachers that helpful at school.
      However i had some good friends who were a lot older than me who were a great support and they advised me to try and achieve my best and believe in myself. Even if i don’t get the best grades or pass i can still say i tried and i can try again. I was an anxious child and it took me 4 times to pass my driving test and 4 times to pass my Maths GCSE as i used to crumble in the exams. I got there in the end.
      I was however really good at athletics and gymnastics at school and once i achieved records for the school then i felt more confident in myself.
      Of course sometimes you cannot get through this by yourself and talking therapy such as CBT can help you to look at your thought pattern and change your behaviour.

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