Self-Esteem and Identity
What is self-esteem and identity?
Self-esteem refers broadly to the way in which we think about ourselves, and how we evaluate our sense of self-worth. Self-esteem is important for our psychological wellbeing, and therefore if we have low self‑esteem, it can impact our emotional health. Low self-esteem might feel like a constantly not being good enough, or you may doubt yourself a lot, put yourself down, or feel uncomfortable accepting compliments. You might compare yourself to others and always feel you fall short. Everyday decisions can feel difficult because you might not trust your own judgment, or you may worry too much about what others think of you, feel guilty over small mistakes, or believe you don’t deserve good things.
Linked to our self-esteem is the concept of identity – how we know who we are and what we’re about. It helps us act in a way that is aligned with our values, and provides our life with a clear sense of direction and purpose. If you feel unsure about who you are, what you want, or where you fit in, you might struggle with your sense of identity. Other signs and symptoms might be that you feel confused about your values, interests, or goals, or you or others have noticed that your personality shifts depending on who you’re around. These things can create a sense of feeling lost or disconnected from yourself, like you’re just going through life without a clear direction. You may struggle to set boundaries or you may try hard to please others to feel accepted.
Identity issues can also extend to gender identity, queer identity and cultural identity. Neurodiversity can also lead to a sense of disconnect with others and can impact how you see yourself. You may feel different to those around you, misunderstood, and this can be really upsetting.
If you feel you are struggling with your self-esteem or identity, therapy can help. Our psychologists are able to offer evidence-based treatment for self-esteem and identity issues in trauma-informed and affirming ways. We’re here to help, please contact us to find out more.
Signs and symptoms of self-esteem and identity issues
Symptoms of self-esteem or identity issues
- Feeling like you’re not good enough
- Putting yourself down often
- Struggling to accept compliments
- Comparing yourself to others and feeling worse
- Avoiding challenges because you’re scared to fail
- Worrying too much about what others think
- Feeling unsure about who you are
- Not knowing what you like, believe, or want
- Changing your personality depending on who you’re with
- Struggling to set boundaries
- Trying to please everyone to feel accepted
- Finding it hard to make decisions
Physical symptoms of self-esteem or identity issues
- Feeling drained or exhausted from trying to “fit in”
- Stress‑related headaches or muscle tension
- Trouble sleeping because your mind feels unsettled
- Feeling restless or uneasy in your body
- Stomach discomfort when you feel confused or pressured
- Changes in appetite linked to stress or confusion
- Feeling physically uncomfortable in social situations
So, what can I do?
If you’re feeling stuck, unsure or like you might be struggling with your view of yourself or understanding how you fit into the world, please get in touch. No one should need to battle through these things alone, and we have a range of really helpful therapies that can help. Please reach out to us to have a chat, and to see how our psychologists might be able to support you.
Medicare rebates are available, and we offer telehealth appointments. We also have Workcover and TAC psychologists.
Psychology FAQs
Have a question? Take a look below… these are some of the common questions we get.
Ready to talk?
Please get in touch today to have a chat to our friendly team so we can match you with an appropriate psychologist. If you are an existing client, you can book online.