Self-esteem disorders, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive behavior, often stem from childhood abuse, bullying, or humiliation. Narcissism is also a self-esteem disorder. Patients may display a superior attitude, take advantage of others, lack empathy, and suffer from low self-esteem. These disorders can lead to poor communication skills and problems in relationships.
Self-esteem disorders include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive behavior. Narcissism also identifies a self-esteem disorder which could appear as high self-esteem and confidence. Psychologists commonly agree that self-esteem disorders begin in childhood as a result of abuse, bullying, or frequent humiliation.
Depression resulting from low self-esteem typically focuses on feelings of worthlessness. Patients suffering from depression may tolerate abuse from others because they believe they deserve inadequate treatment. As the abuse continues, the depression may deepen and lead to the use of drugs, alcohol, or food as a form of self-medication.
Some people with self-esteem disorders have ideals of perfectionism. They may be constantly looking for ways to be accepted and have a hard time tolerating failure. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a result of low self-esteem. When these patients fail to maintain self-imposed standards of perfection, it could lead to repeating certain behaviors that relieve the stress of daily life.
Self-esteem disturbances could also develop in the form of anxiety. People with this problem usually worry about how others see them. They may pause to measure themselves against what they think others expect of them and become vigilant not to upset other people. Fear of rejection might cause a person with this disorder to become passive or aggressive as a way to deal with anxiety.
Some self-esteem disorders also appear as eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. These problems could arise when patients try to lose weight to fit into an ideal body image, but continue to find their body unattractive despite the weight loss. Anorexics may resort to extreme diets by refusing to eat food, even when body weight drops dangerously.
Bulimia is a progressive disease that typically begins with anorexia. The patient binges large quantities of food before purging or using laxatives. Binging could produce feelings of guilt and the need to vomit to rid the body of expended calories. Binging includes eating huge amounts of food without purging, followed by obesity-related self-loathing.
Patients suffering from narcissistic self-esteem disorders may display a superior attitude. They may believe they deserve special treatment because they are more talented or smarter than other people. These patients might take advantage of others because they lack empathy. Although narcissists may appear to be very confident, they commonly suffer from low self-esteem disorders which may cause them to react with anger and criticism towards other people.
People with self-esteem disorders may have problems in relationships because they feel unworthy of love. Often they don’t set boundaries or they might seem very needy. Poor communication skills are another symptom of low self-esteem that could affect social and personal relationships. This might involve a refusal to discuss issues or a fear of asking for what people want or need.
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