In general, there are 3 different types of self-esteem to consider. Learning about the different types can help you to understand yourself better and to improve your own self-esteem. The 3 types are:
Low Self-esteem
Inflated Self-esteem
High Self-Esteem
Low Self-esteem
People with low self-esteem do not value themselves and can be insecure. People with low self-esteem might have a fear of failure which stops them from seeking out new and challenging situations. They are easily influenced by others and have trouble trusting themselves which can lead to difficulty making decisions. They don’t value themselves or their own opinions. Low self-esteem can lead to anxiety and depression.
Inflated Self-Esteem
Inflated self-esteem generally refers to an excessive amount of self-esteem and is thought to be a negative thing. People with inflated self-esteem can have a sense of entitlement and think they’re better than others. They may resort to violence, aggression, or risky behavior to get what they want. They show an inability to listen to others as well as an inability to self-critique. They tend to blame and to undervalue others. People with this type of self-esteem see others as competition and have a difficult time building healthy relationships.
High Self-Esteem
High self-esteem is generally thought to be a good thing, but this may not always be the case. In order to highlight this, consider the two types of high self-esteem which are called fragile and secure.
People with fragile self-esteem have high self-esteem, but they constantly need to be validated by others to feel good about themselves. These people are vulnerable to threats to their self-esteem and to fluctuations in how they feel about themselves. Because of this, their relationships suffer. This type is also known as implicit self-esteem.
Secure Self-Esteem
This is when you feel balanced and secure. It describes people who are happy with themselves and is also known as explicit self-esteem. This is what we think of when we think of someone with “good” self-esteem. These people do not need to compare themselves to others nor do they need reassurance from people outside of themselves. They feel satisfied overall with their lives and are able to feel confident that they can handle any problems or situations that come their way.
Source of Different Self-Esteem Types
People with low self-esteem and with inflated self-esteem share one thing in common, and that is the source of self-esteem comes from outside themselves. These sources can include things such as the approval of others, wealth, external power, and appearance. High self-esteem on the other hand tends to come from internal sources. Because of this, the high self-esteem, especially of the secure type, is much more stable over time and is affected less by outside forces.
Closing Thoughts
Self-esteem can affect so many different areas of your life. It can help determine what type of job you have, how well you do in that job, how healthy your relationships are, what kind of parent you are, your mental health, your happiness, and your overall satisfaction with your life. Knowing the types of self-esteem can help you to understand those around you better, and help you to understand where you stand now in comparison to where you’d like your self-esteem to be. If you find yourself in a place that you don’t like, you can always work to make it better, and I’m here to help if you want it. Please click on the link for self-esteem counseling if you want to talk further about this or would like to start counseling now. I’d love to hear from you!