Low self esteem is not often associated with anxiety attacks, yet researchers have discovered a distinct connection between the two.
Anxiety attacks trigger doubts. Sometimes, it’s unclear to you that this is happening because it’s usually on a sub-conscious level. For instance, if you already have low self-esteem any concerns about taking on a task can trigger an anxiety attack. This is why it’s important that you focus on breaking the chain of low self esteem to stop your anxiety attacks.
People who experience anxiety attacks might be worried about their next school assignment, of going shopping, or of attending a social gathering. In severe cases, they are afraid to leave the house. Just getting to a medical appointment is a major trial for some people.
This is the stage where the chain of low self esteem and anxiety is in full swing.
Regardless of the cause for the anxiety attacks, people who suffer from them also experience low self-esteem and lack of confidence.
But exactly what is self-esteem?
Self esteem develops and evolves throughout our entire lives, beginning in childhood. How we learn to view ourselves as children, based on how we are treated by our parents, siblings, teachers, coaches and religious leaders will contribute to our level of self-esteem.
Our self-esteem is also defined by our successes and failures, and how we learn to handle them. We develop a view of ourselves, our self image, based on how we feel about our abilities to live effectively in the society around us. In childhood, this is a crucial aspect of our growth.
Whether we develop high or low self-esteem, we can be sure of one thing. Our level of confidence will change from one day to the next as a normal part of life. Almost everyone’s feelings and thoughts about themselves fluctuate occasionally in direct relation to the variety of experiences in their daily lives. A recent school or medical exam, how their peers treat them, job pressures and personal relationships all can have a temporary impact on how they feel on a given day.
Low self esteem involves more than just the normal ebb and flow of a person’s sense of well-being in response to everyday situations.
People who have a good, healthy sense of self will sail through those fluctuations with ease and quickly bounce back. Those with an existing low self esteem, on the other hand, can be dramatically affected by those ups and downs. They can experience depression, loneliness, anxiety attacks and panic that can be short lived or long lasting.
In fact, low self esteem can create anxiety, stress, relationship problems, impaired job performance, underachievement and can lead to increased vulnerability to drug and alcohol abuse.
As you can see, this chain of low self esteem and anxiety can grow and expand. The resulting negative consequences reinforce the existing negative self-image, leading the person into even lower self-esteem and possibly to self-destructive behavior.
Take Baby Steps
One of the first goals for an anxiety sufferer then, must be to aim at breaking the chain of low self esteem in order to experience full, permanent recovery from their anxiety attacks.
While in a state of low self esteem and depression, and dreading yet more anxiety attacks, it can be difficult to “stretch yourself", as some people have suggested. Much of the lack of productivity and fear related to tackling otherwise simple tasks is directly linked to the fear of failure.
Failure would present a devastating blow to an already low self esteem. The natural instinct at that point is to do nothing or experience anxiety attacks at the prospect of taking such action.
The key to overcoming this dilemma is to start small in breaking the chain of low self esteem and anxiety, and building your confidence.
One great way to begin this process is to take a close look at your abilities, skills and interests. If you can’t think of any, go back through your school reports if you still have them. Don’t worry if you had poor marks. You’ll undoubtedly find a few subjects in which you excelled. Everyone can do something extra well..
Go down the list and pick out the areas in which you did well. How do you feel about those subjects? Are they things you would like to do again?
It’s important to find something that you’ve already proven you can do well. Most likely, when you recall your success, you will feel at the very least a slight surge of confidence. It can be anything – art class, economics, metal shop, computer work, leadership, sports, drama or music.
Would you want to get involved in that subject again? How would you proceed? Are there instructional manuals you can study? Is there a local workshop you can attend? What about night courses? Does your area have a club specifically for that interest that you can join?
Some abilities include: drawing, designing, playing an instrument, accounting/bookkeeping, drafting, sense of humor, good memory, good with your hands, mechanically inclined, electrical knowledge, working with wood, interior painting, wallpapering, working with textiles… the list is endless.
If you can find an activity that boosts your low self-esteem, makes you feel productive and talented, and gives you something positive to think about instead of focusing on your anxiety, you are sure to start seeing a tremendous improvement in your condition. You will be on the path to breaking the chain of low self esteem and curing your anxiety attacks for good.
If you found this information helpful, here are some highly effective proven programs to assist you in becoming the person you want to be. Get help with anxiety relief, low self esteem, motivation and help with all areas of your psyche.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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