SELF-ESTEEM refers to how we think about ourselves and the value we place on ourselves as a person. While anyone may feel uncertain of themselves or lack self-confidence at some point in their lives, troubles with self-esteem means that a person has a tendency to judge or evaluate oneself negatively, especially during stressful or challenging situations.
The general negative overall opinion of oneself can include thinking thoughts like “I am weak, useless or a failure”. Although these deep-seated negative beliefs are usually treated as facts by the individual, these critical judgements are usually opinions instead of facts. Hounded by these beliefs, it can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction and unhappiness. It is the aim of therapy to challenge these judgements which can be biased or inaccurate and work towards replacing self-doubts with self-confidence.