Do I Have Low Self Esteem Quiz
Takeaway: Low self-esteem isn’t easy to deal with. It may feel like no matter what you do, you can’t seem to develop healthy self-worth, self-confidence, or feel good about yourself and your life. It’s even more challenging when you can’t identify the signs of low self-esteem. By the end of this blog, you’ll have a better idea of your low self-esteem and how to help improve it.
You know that voice in the back of your mind? The one that coaches you through the rest of your test when you’re so anxious you can’t focus? Or the one that says, “Are you sure?” when doing something risky?
Sometimes, this voice isn’t a voice of reason.
When faced with a challenge or when you’re feeling vulnerable and down on yourself, this inner voice can morph into your worst critic, undermining your confidence with doubts, fears, and misconceptions. Instead of being a helpful guide, your internal judge can seem relentless as it grows louder and louder in your mind. And while you’re battling your thoughts, life doesn’t stop, only increasing the stress and turmoil you experience.
Self-esteem, how we view and value ourselves, is directly linked to this chatter in your mind.
How you talk to yourself matters; the more negative your thoughts about yourself are, the higher the likelihood that you have low self-esteem.
Low self-esteem isn’t formally recognized as a mental health diagnosis, per se. Still, it is tied to many conditions like major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
However, while it may not have its own label in the DSM, identifying the signs and treating low self-esteem helps to reduce the risk of developing one of these conditions.
Wouldn’t it be easy if you had a self-esteem test to help you figure out whether or not you’re struggling with low self-esteem?
No fear; we’ve created a short quiz to help you see how your self-perception shapes your everyday experiences. Thoughtfully answer the questions below to figure out where you are on the self-esteem spectrum.
Take the Do I Have Low-Self Esteem? Quiz
Recognizing thought or behavior patterns that could hold you back decreases your chances of missed opportunities and, potentially, years of unhappiness. Read each question carefully and reflect honestly.
Remember that this quiz isn’t a replacement for working with an actual mental health therapist. While you’ll gain some insight into your self-esteem, we encourage you to seek professional guidance from someone who can support your individual needs.
How do you view failure?
Understanding your reaction to failure can reveal whether you tend to internalize setbacks. If you identify as a perfectionist, fixating on potential mistakes may lead to intense anxiety and lower self-worth, which is a sign of low self-esteem.
Do you compare yourself to others?
It may feel second nature to you to compare your life to others, but it’s critical to intervene if you feel like you’re constantly inferior to others. Worrying too much about maintaining an unrealistic lifestyle makes it difficult to achieve healthy self-esteem since you’re spending so much time wishing for more instead of appreciating the present.
Do you struggle with accepting compliments?
Is your first response to a compliment nervous laughter or immediately firing one back? If so, you might have low self-esteem. Sometimes, struggling to accept a compliment is a sign that you have trouble believing in your positive qualities and achievements.
How important is validation to you?
We all need validation, but some people crave it more than others. You'll likely struggle with low self-esteem if you rely on others to recognize your thoughts, behaviors, and actions.
Are you assertive?
Being non-assertive and hesitant to express your needs may stem from a fear of rejection, feeling emotionally inferior to others, or being a people-pleaser. While these things may naturally happen to anyone, if they occur frequently, it signals a problem with low self-esteem.
How well do you set and maintain boundaries?
You may know precisely what boundaries to set, but following through with them is a different story. Being proficient in setting and maintaining them doesn’t come second nature to everyone. Knowing your worth makes it easier to do this, but if you struggle with it, it may signal low self-esteem.
Do you have trouble making decisions about yourself or others?
Hesitation or stress over making decisions can indicate a fear of making mistakes or an adverse reaction to others, which is often tied to low self-confidence. Indecisiveness makes it much harder to be independent, set boundaries, and take control of your life. It can also lead to a cycle of dependence on others for validation and approval, further lowering your self-esteem.
Would you describe yourself as a confident person?
Self-confidence isn’t the same as self-esteem, although they are very similar. Confidence is your view of yourself and your abilities, while self-esteem is a broader, more subjective appreciation of yourself. Your environment, attachment style, and many other factors influence your confidence, making creating healthy confidence an essential part of having healthy self-esteem. A lack of confidence permeates almost every aspect of your life, from personal relationships to social interactions with strangers, and usually aligns with a broader pattern of low self-esteem.
Is negative self-talk a regular occurrence in your mind?
The most important relationship you have with yourself is the one you have with yourself. Negative self-talk only reinforces low self-esteem by perpetuating an unfavorable opinion about yourself, whether that be through harsh criticism, self-doubt, or anxiety that stops you from pursuing your ambitions.
How do I improve my self-esteem?
It’s a common misconception that you have to change your entire look or personality to truly improve your self-esteem. If you want to cut your hair, switch up your style, or get involved with new hobbies, that’s great, but they are physical changes. However, developing healthy self-esteem involves more than changing your physical appearance or meeting new people.
At Hold the Vision Therapy, we believe the path toward healthy self-esteem begins when you begin trusting yourself and listening to your body, its response to your environment, and interactions with others. You have the power to feel more confident and worthy—to feel better. We’re trained self-esteem therapists, so we’re equipped to help you learn the skills you need to facilitate the development of a healthier mindset through talk therapy and therapy self-esteem activities.
Request a consultation with one of our therapists today here.