10 Behaviors People with Low Self-Esteem Engage In

According to SHAHEDNEWS, Low self-esteem is a complex issue. It is easy to identify a person who has high self-esteem, but sometimes recognizing a lack of self-esteem can be difficult.

Recognizing these behaviors can help you understand others better and possibly even yourself. Below are 10 clear signs of compensatory actions due to low self-esteem.

1) Overworking to Succeed

Many of us have encountered someone who seems to be in an endless pursuit of success. These are the people who are always busy, constantly taking on new projects, and rarely saying no to anything.

This behavior often stems from a deep sense of inadequacy. People with low self-esteem overwork themselves to prove their worth, not only to others but also to themselves.

They often try to compensate for their low sense of value by constantly seeking external validation and approval. Their self-esteem is tied to their achievements, so they feel they must always succeed.

2) Perfectionism

Many of us have some degree of perfectionism.

Perfectionism is closely linked to self-esteem. When you don't feel highly valued, you focus on the smallest details and always want to ensure that everything is "perfect."

In fact, perfectionism is an attempt to compensate for feelings of inadequacy. If everything is perfect, then there’s no room for criticism or failure—two things that can significantly impact self-esteem.

Breaking the perfectionism habit can be tough because it is often seen as a positive trait. However, when rooted in low self-esteem, its harm often outweighs its benefits.

3) Seeking Attention

We’ve all seen people who are constantly trying to be the center of attention and seek approval from others. It’s easy to label such individuals as attention-seeking, but the underlying issue is often deeper.

Psychological principles show that attention-seeking behavior is often a sign of low self-esteem. These individuals may feel invisible or insignificant, so they try to suppress these feelings by seeking attention and approval from others.

This need for attention can manifest in various ways, from excessive activity on social media to dramatic displays of their emotions. These are clear signs of seeking validation.

4) People-Pleasing Behavior

Trying too hard to please others is another common behavior among those who struggle with low self-esteem. These individuals often agree with everything and everyone. They might take on too many tasks, fill their schedules, and leave little to no time for themselves.

Why? Because saying no carries the risk of rejection, and for someone with low self-esteem, rejection can be a painful reminder of their internal feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy.

People with low self-esteem often feel discomfort and exhaustion because they continuously ignore their own needs for the sake of others. This is a destructive cycle that is hard to break without self-awareness and a strong sense of self-worth.

5) Defensive Behavior

Have you ever met someone who reacts defensively even to the smallest criticism or suggestion? This behavior can be a sign of low self-esteem. People who constantly feel the need to defend their actions or decisions do so because they lack confidence in their worth.

They interpret any form of feedback as an attack on their character, which leads to defensive reactions. This defensiveness is really just a protective mechanism—an attempt to shield themselves from perceived threats to their self-esteem.

6) Neglecting Self-Care

When people have low self-esteem, they may struggle to set boundaries when it comes to helping others.

They do a lot for others but forget to take care of themselves. They may forget to eat meals or ignore their mental health needs. It’s as if they are punishing themselves, believing they don’t deserve care and attention.

Having healthy boundaries—knowing what is good and what isn’t—is an important part of self-care. If someone with low self-esteem doesn’t take care of themselves, it can lead to even worse feelings.

This behavior creates a cycle where individuals neglect self-care.

7) Constantly Comparing Themselves to Others

When we constantly compare ourselves to others, it indicates we have trouble recognizing our own worth.

Many people are always comparing their lives to those of others. They scroll through social media and compare the reality of their lives to the appearance of others' lives. These individuals feel like everyone else has achieved more and lives a happier life.

This constant comparison is a common behavior among those with low self-esteem. They view others as inherently better or more deserving, which can be extremely damaging.

8) Over-Apologizing

Have you ever seen someone who apologizes for everything, even when it’s clearly not their fault? This behavior can be a sign of low self-esteem. These individuals feel like they are always wrong or a burden to others.

Over-apologizing can be a way to seek reassurance. It’s as if they’re saying, “I know I’ve made a mistake, but do you still accept me?”

This is a request for validation of their worth despite their low self-esteem.

9) Self-Destructive Behavior

One of the most significant signs of low self-esteem is that it can lead to self-destructive behavior.

People who feel worthless often believe they don’t deserve success or happiness, which causes them to subconsciously undermine their own efforts.

Self-destructive behavior can manifest in various ways, from procrastination and perfectionism to engaging in unhealthy relationships and habits. It’s a destructive cycle that feeds into the feeling of worthlessness.

10) Exaggerated Confidence

Interestingly, excessive confidence can be a sign of low self-esteem in some individuals.

When someone doesn’t feel good about themselves, they may outwardly appear overly confident and suppress their true feelings.

This behavior is often linked to the constant need for external validation. These individuals seek approval from others as a way to fill the void left by their feelings of inadequacy.