low self-esteem

Low self-esteem is a persistent sense that you are not enough—not smart enough, lovable enough, competent enough, or worthy of care. It often shows up as harsh self-criticism, chronic comparison to others, difficulty accepting compliments, and a deep fear of being exposed as somehow defective. People with low self-esteem may over-function in relationships and jobs to earn value they don't feel they inherently have.

For trauma survivors, low self-esteem is usually a downstream effect of how they were treated growing up. Children are natural mirrors: if caregivers were critical, cold, or conditional, the resulting inner voice becomes the child's default view of themselves. Healing involves updating that old reflection—through therapy, supportive relationships, and practices that replace self-attack with self-respect.