Low Self-Esteem and Your Health

By Kim Archer in Health on April 17th, 2008

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by Kim Archer

Do you suffer from low self-esteem? If so, you could be setting yourself up for health problems. A poor self-image is the foundation of many physical and emotional ailments. Consider these seven ways that it negatively impacts your well-being.

1. Anxiety: If you have a feeling of low self-worth, you’ll also be lacking in confidence. In new or uncomfortable situations, this can easily cause you to experience an anxiety attack.

2. Stress: We all deal with stress in our lives, but for a person with a poor self-image it can be crushing. They won’t be prone to dealing with their stress, which can cause even more tension and worry. Stress is often a precursor of heart disease.

3. Depression: People with low self-esteem frequently suffer from depression. Feeling worthless can cause you to alienate yourself from your family and friends. And this isolation from those you love will add fuel to your negative self-image, and soon you’ll feel depressed. In severe instances, some people consider suicide.

4. Alcohol Abuse: Others look to booze to obscure their troubles and give them a sense of self-confidence. Alcohol becomes their lifeline because it provides a quick boost in confidence without having to work at it. After a few drinks, their self-consciousness disappears and they feel invincible. But becoming addicted to alcohol is so easy, and your health will suffer as a consequence. Alcohol abuse leads to heart disease, liver problems and cancer.

5. Addictions: Yet another way people attempt to bolster a poor self-image is by abusing street drugs or prescription medications. The temporary high wipes away their bad feelings for a while. However, the consequences of long term drug addiction are renowned, and these people are liable to wind up dead if they don’t address their problems.

6. Weight Gain: People with low self-esteem frequently try to fill that empty feeling with food. Overeating leads to weight gain, sometimes to the point of obesity. Excessive weight gain is associated with heart disease, diabetes and numerous other ailments.

7. Weight Loss: On the other hand, some people with self-esteem issues become obsessed with their appearance. They develop eating disorders such as bulimia or anorexia in their quest for the perfect body. But no matter how much they starve their bodies, they are never pleased with the results, and eventually they become dangerously ill.

These are a few of the serious health issues that can be a product of low self-esteem. It’s critical that those who are experiencing feelings of worthlessness get help to learn how to value themselves. Or they might end up dealing with worse problems.

About the Author:

Kim Archer writes about women’s wellness. She is publisher of The Internet Spa, where you’ll find up-to-date information to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.