Self Esteem
People from all walks of life struggle with low self-esteem.
People often look at others’ “outsides” with their “insides” and feel that they do not measure up. American psychologists, Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes coined the term “Imposter Syndrome” in 1978.
People with Imposter Syndrome may:
- Appear to feel completely self-confident but believe that their successes in life are really because of fraud and luck rather than due to their own efforts and talents.
- Believe that once people really understand them, the truth will emerge and they will be found out.
- While both men and women struggle with self-esteem issues, women are particularly prone to Imposter Syndrome.
According to the New York University Child Study Center website, self-esteem peaks for girls at age 9 and then plummets.
Some Truisms About Self-Esteem:
- Social media plays a role in self-esteem, as people tend to feel insecure and envious when they read about others’ seemingly perfect lives.
- People with low self-esteem may second-guess their decisions and seek reassurance for them.
- Rosenberg and Owen (2001) report that people with low self-esteem are likely to perceive events through a negative lens and tend to direct their efforts toward not making mistakes, whereas people with high self-esteem focus on growth and improvement.
Many things can contribute to low self-esteem, but working with a therapist can help you sift through the specific issues that can make you feel inadequate and can help you build confidence to appreciate the things that make you uniquely special.
I have worked with people for 25 years to improve their self-esteem. If you are struggling, please contact me for help.
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