What comes first the low self esteem or the anxiety?

[samtheman]

I've been focusing mainly on anxiety but what if anxiety is a symptom of having low self esteem along with depression and everything else? In trying to get better I've always focused on anxiety and while I lead a fairly normal life, I go to work etc etc I am trapped in a comfort zone and the anxiety keeps returning.

If I look back to when I was in primary school I got bullied, I had eczema so others made fun of me, I was an only child with strict religious parents, I had a very negative outlook on life, so I guess it was no big surprise I developed anxiety issues in my late teens.

So I am thinking would focusing on low self esteem be more beneficial that trying to cure anxiety? which clearly isn't working.

[Baggs]

Hi Sam,
I was raised to believe that I was bloody useless so low self-esteem came first with me. I hesitate to give you advice but I now look outwards rather than inwards and Duloxetine helps tremendously with this. I wish you all the best.

Baggs

[Serenitie]

Low self esteem always comes first (second and last)

[samtheman]

So in theory curing the low self esteem should cure the other symptoms such as anxiety, depression etc?

[Serenitie]

In my case it has. I can't speak for everyone. But my experience as a mental health social worker tells me that low self esteem and or trauma was at the heart of most mental distress (unless it was organic / biological in origin).

Love & value yourself, prioritise your own needs and desires, be true to yourself and a lot will change for you for the better, regardless of your mental health status.

[Baggs]

Yep - when you're happy with yourself the world becomes a lot brighter

[Serenitie]

Yep - when you're happy with yourself the world becomes a lot brighter

I totally agree.

I'm not spamming, but my most recent thread might be helpful for you to read and give some insight into where I am coming from. If this post is not helpful, I am happy to delete it from your thread. Read and let me know your thoughts

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=127484

[samtheman]

I totally agree.

I'm not spamming, but my most recent thread might be helpful for you to read and give some insight into where I am coming from. If this post is not helpful, I am happy to delete it from your thread. Read and let me know your thoughts

http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=127484


The most important being my attitude. I have always been a very positive person with a lust for life. This hit me immediately, I am the polar opposite, I have always been negative and feel everyone and everything is out to get me, anything that usually can go wrong usually does, I believe this again is all down to self esteem.

[Serenitie]

This hit me immediately, I am the polar opposite, I have always been negative and feel everyone and everything is out to get me, anything that usually can go wrong usually does, I believe this again is all down to self esteem.

If you have a negative attitude you will attract negative people and experiences. Once you change your outlook to a more positive one, you will attract totally different relationships and experiences.

Have you tried things like CBT, positive affirmations ad relaxation audios?

These Claire Weekes audios may be helpful

http://www.junior-anxiety-depression-exchange.org.uk/Relax.html#HowToRecover

Take care & good luck! :)

[Mark13]

For me anxiety came first, low self esteem second.

I've had anxiety as long as I can remember, probably due to serious physical illness as a child. But I was always in the top classes at school, shy, but not lacking in self esteem.