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Start for freeUnderstanding Self-Esteem with Dr. Tracey Marks
Self-esteem is a critical aspect of mental health, influencing how individuals perceive their worth and interact with the world. Dr. Tracey Marks, a renowned psychiatrist specializing in mental health education, provides an in depth look at self-esteem, its development over a lifetime, and effective methods to improve it.
What is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem reflects an individual's overall subjective emotional evaluation of their own worth. It is the decision made by an individual as a attitude towards the self. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs about oneself as well as emotional states such as triumph, despair, pride, and shame.
Dr. Marks explains that self-esteem varies along a spectrum:
- Low Self-Esteem: Individuals may feel inadequate or undeserving of happiness.
- Healthy Self-Esteem: There is a balance where individuals feel confident and deserving of what they achieve.
- Overinflated Self-Esteam: People might feel entitled to happiness at others' expense and can become defensive if their expectations are not met.
Developmental Phases of Self-Esteem
The journey of self-esteem begins in childhood where it starts high because children are generally unencumbered by external criticisms. As they grow older and gain more awareness, their self-esteem tends to decline due to increased exposure to negative feedback and comparisons with peers.
During adolescence, body image issues and other puberty-related changes can further decrease self-esteem. This period also sees a transition from supportive elementary environments to more challenging middle and high school settings.
In adulthood, however, self-esteem generally climbs as individuals establish careers, develop skills, and form clear life purposes. Achievements during these years contribute significantly to one's sense of self-worth.
Fluctuations in Later Life
As people enter their 60s and beyond, they often experience another decline in self-esteem due to life role changes such as retirement or health issues. However, many maintain a positive sense of self-worth by accepting their limitations during this stage.
Practical Tips for Enhancing Self-Esteem
Recognizing Your Strengths
The first step towards improving your self-esteem involves identifying your strengths. Dr. Marks suggests asking yourself what you excel at or enjoy doing most. Once identified, it's crucial to actively use these strengths daily which reinforces positive self-perception.
Accepting Compliments
The second strategy focuses on accepting compliments gracefully which can be challenging for those with low self-esteem who may dismiss or feel uncomfortable with praise. Preparing responses ahead of time like 'Thank you' or 'I appreciate your kind words' can help ease this discomfort while also acknowledging the compliment giver.
Observing Others' Strengths
Focusing on others' strengths rather than weaknesses encourages a positive outlook that can reflect back on one's own abilities enhancing personal value perception.
Conclusion
The evolution of self esteem is complex but understanding its trajectory helps us support ourselves and others better at different stages of life From bolstering adolescents' confidence to supporting elderly relatives post-retirement understanding these patterns empowers us all toward healthier mental states.
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