Stuti Jhaveri
What is depression?
“I feel depressed,” have you ever heard people using this statement very casually?
Nowadays, some people have different opinions and definitions of depression. They believe sadness to be depression, but that’s not true. Sadness is a natural, human emotion which fades with time. You may feel sad, but you also have moments when you are happy.
Whereas, depression is a long term mental health disorder that is characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interests. Unlike sadness, your moods and feelings are consistent and may affect all aspects of your life.
What is self-esteem?
Self-esteem is a person’s evaluation of their worth. In other words, it is a person’s opinion of self. It comprises beliefs about self and emotional states, such as discomfort, satisfaction, accomplishment, and guilt.
What role does it play in causing depression?
According to studies conducted, lower self-esteem is a risk factor for depression.
A person with lower self-esteem takes feedback personally and negatively. They think about their incapabilities, pay attention to the negative feedback received from others, think about it, and hence they become more depressed. Moreover, others may perceive this negative mood and behaviour more negatively, making them feel rejected.
How to boost the self-esteem of self and others?
There are a variety of ways in which you can improve your self-esteem –
Recognize and challenge your negative opinions
Pay attention to your thoughts about yourself. For instance, if you start having thoughts like ‘I’m not good at this thing’ or ‘I’m not smart enough to do this’ find evidence that contradicts these statements. Write these statements and evidence to yourself and say it to yourself every day.
- Identify the positive things in you
Find out positive things about you and write them down, and when you feel low, look at these affirmative statements.
- Build relations with people who bring out the best in you, avoid the negative ones
Certain people bring out the best in you and make you feel good, keep these people close.
If some people make you feel bad about yourself, try to ignore and avoid them.
- Give yourself a break
You don’t have to be perfect all the time! You don’t have to feel good about yourself all the time! Be kind to yourself,and take a break.
- Take on challenges
People with lower self-esteem may often avoid challenges.
Taking on challenges can improve your self-esteem. You should try to do something that may be difficult to achieve. When you achieve your goal, you show yourself you can do it!
- Improve your physical health
People with low self-esteem may neglect themselves. Try eating well, sleeping well and exercising.
Conclusion
Lower self-esteem is a risk factor for depression. Hence, we need to uplift ourselves and boost our self-esteem. Keep yourself up and believe in yourself!
Other Important Articles
- How does Self-esteem influence by Social Anxiety?
- Nurturing one’s self-esteem with inferring its significance
Amazing work
Thank you!!
Great thinking, Nice write up, Keep going, All the best
On a side note, we see so many people with such low self esteem who toss around their insecurities for everyone to laugh at as a defensive strategy, and this is such a major red flag for depression. Your article points out the self esteem problem that we all need to eventually learn to identify in people around us or even in us, as an early sign of depression. So, great job!
Really interesting and enlightening. Here are a few points you could’ve included:-
1) I think the main problem that comes up is how to find ways to motivate yourself, because even for taking the positive steps that you’ve mentioned the person has to be motivated and willing.
2) Focusing on being determined and consistent with our goals is really crucial for good results.
3) An attitude of never giving up should be inculcated in the person.
4) Fears such as that of being judged by others or fear of getting involved in a specific activity should also be tackled with side by side.
5) Seeking professional help is a must! Even counseling can do wonders for the person and help in fastening the process of achieving their set goals.
You do write really well though. Keep up the good work! 🙂
this is good!
Keep Writing 🙂
Well Protayed Article
a very interesting article! Well done :))
Looking forward to more of your work :))
Interesting article!
Thanks alot for this article. Sending you positive vibes✨❤
Amazing content
Great information on how low self-esteem can gradually turn into depression. The techniques given to help improve our low self-esteem is helpful. Maybe you could talk more about depression itself, and talk about how some people casually use the phrased “I’m depressed”, when in reality they may just be upset. Good work!