How Chronic Depression Affects Your Self-Esteem

Chronic depression and low self-esteem are intrinsically linked. While they are the same, people with depression often grapple with reduced self-worth and a lack of confidence.

If you have felt depressed for a long period of time, it can feel like you will never be able to pull yourself out of a rut. Perhaps you have dealt with low self-esteem for as long as you can remember. You do not know if your depression is the cause or the result.

Trying to heal can seem hopeless when you have such a low opinion of yourself. Part of you wants to create a better future, but another part of you does not even feel like it is worth trying. Here is why chronic depression can fuel low self-esteem.

Persistent Negative Thoughts

People with depression often deal with persistent negative thoughts. In fact, this is one of the most common symptoms of this condition. These beliefs might concern your abilities, your value in relationships, your appearance, or your inherent self-worth as a human being.

You might speak to yourself in a way that you would never speak to a friend. Sometimes, you may tell yourself that this constant criticism pushes you to succeed or avoid slacking off. But in reality, directing relentless negativity towards yourself only worsens your depression and self-esteem.

Self-Blame

Depression makes it difficult to see the world, and yourself, clearly. All of your thoughts are reflected through the lens of depression. No matter what is going wrong in your life, you find a way to blame it on yourself. Additionally, you might blame yourself for problems in the lives of other people, like your parents, siblings, or friends.

When you have been suffering from depression for years, you may feel like everything that has gone wrong in your life is actually your fault. From this perspective, it is hard to develop a strong sense of self-esteem.

Catastrophizing

When you have depression, every minor inconvenience can make you feel like you are about to spiral into catastrophe. For example, if your manager gives you some basic feedback at work, you might assume that you are actually on the verge of getting fired.

Even when things are going well, you cannot help but fear that something bad is about to happen. If you feel like catastrophe is always right around the corner, you do not develop the sense of internal security that serves as the foundation of low self-esteem.

Struggles with Hygiene and Healthy Habits

Depression can make it hard to keep up with hygiene habits. Some days, you may have difficulty just getting out of bed, let alone showering, brushing your hair, or getting dressed. When it is tough just to manage these basic habits, upholding your responsibilities at work, going out with friends, making progress in your hobbies, or starting a new creative project is out of the question.

You are not lazy. You are dealing with a mental health condition that has a detrimental effect on your mental and physical well-being, harming your overall quality of life. And when you are struggling with these basic aspects of self-care, it can be hard to build self-esteem.

Falling Behind on Milestones

Many individuals with chronic depression feel like they are falling behind their peers when it comes to “standard” milestones. Your depression might serve as an obstacle to forming healthy relationships, moving up in your career, becoming financially stable, or achieving your creative goals. When you are comparing your own milestone achievements to those without depression, you might feel like you will never catch up.

Support Is Available

If you are suffering from low self-esteem as a result of chronic depression, we are here to help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation or book an appointment for depression counseling.