Relationship Advice on Low Self Esteem

We’re not sure what’s more damaging: too little self-esteem, or too much. If you think you're dating someone with too much, see the page on narcissism. 

But we do know that neither of them makes it any easier for a relationship to succeed.

We’ll take a look at low self esteem first.

People with low self-esteem issues often

• Are clumsy at handling compliments

• Avoid eye contact

• Exhibit melancholy or even depression

• Often apologize and feel guilty

• Rarely take risks and always seek the safest possible alternative

• Slouch or walk with their heads down

• Take everything personally

Low self-esteem will cause someone to draw back, or even put up barriers in a relationship because

1. they think they don’t deserve your affection, and
2. they’re convinced you’ll eventually come to the same conclusion,  withdraw said affection, and break their heart once they’ve given it to you.

The danger for women entering a relationship with a low-self esteem partner is that he seems “So nice, and so different from the self-absorbed ego-maniacs I usually meet…”

He definitely is different from those guys. But in this case, different doesn’t necessarily mean better.

A relationship with a low self-esteem person can be just as unfulfilling as a relationship with a narcissist.

Also see: Bipolar Disorder, Passive Aggressive Behavior, Narcissism, Domineering Personality, Submissive Personality, "Knight in Shining Armor", Codependence and Shaming and Guilt.