--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: LOW SELF-ESTEEM Characteristic of most…" description: "\"“ LOW SELF-ESTEEM Characteristic of most people with social anxiety is low self-esteem. I showed you the sequence in Chapter 1. What is the connection ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/jonathan-berent-4272_confidence_low-self-esteem-characteristic-of-most-p_196348.jpg" --- # LOW SELF-ESTEEM Characteristic of most people with social… ![“LOW SELF-ESTEEM Characteristic of most people with social anxiety is low self-esteem. I showed you the sequence in Chapter 1. What is the connection between low self-esteem and social anxiety? A person who has experienced years of failure and frustration will suffer from a lack of self-confidence…” quote by Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/jonathan-berent-4272_confidence_low-self-esteem-characteristic-of-most-p_196348.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/jonathan-berent-4272_confidence_low-self-esteem-characteristic-of-most-p_196348.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/039/jonathan-berent-4272_confidence_low-self-esteem-characteristic-of-most-p_196348.jpg) > ““ LOW SELF-ESTEEM Characteristic of most people with social anxiety is low self-esteem. I showed you the sequence in Chapter 1. What is the connection between low self-esteem and social anxiety? A person who has experienced years of failure and frustration will suffer from a lack of self-confidence unless he or she learns appropriate strategies that can break the cycle of negative thinking and allow real behavioral change to take place. In some cases, early peer rejection has caused the socially anxious person to develop a poor self-image. In other cases, negative reinforcement (harsh criticism at home, poor performance in school or on the playing field) has turned self-doubt into self-reproach. Eventually, that element of “self”—the inner voice-becomes far more judgmental than any outside person or group could be. The inner voice then chastises the person into silence, and, finally, retreat.”” [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Low self‑esteem fuels social anxiety by creating a harsh inner critic that silences and isolates the individual. **In simple terms:** Low self‑esteem makes social anxiety worse. Key Takeaway Address self‑criticism to reduce anxiety. Themes self‑esteem social anxiety inner dialogue confidence behavior change Mood anxious reflective Type psychological motivational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - self‑help work - support groups - school environments - family dynamics Key Concepts cognitive distortion negative reinforcement peer rejection self‑image Questions to Reflect On - How can you reframe your inner voice? - What strategies break the cycle of self‑criticism? A Different Perspective Self‑esteem issues may also stem from genetic or neurobiological factors beyond experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Break The Cycle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/break-the-cycle/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Inner voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inner-voice/) [Negative thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative-thinking/) [Poor performance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor-performance/) [Self confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-confidence/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Social anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-anxiety/) ## Related quotes > [“ A CHANGING SOCIETY What does today’s high incidence of social anxiety tell us about modern society? 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It creates problems in school,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-moehn/because-you-are-reading-this-book-you-probably-know-that-social/) [Heather Moehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-moehn/) > [“Socially anxious people of any age are likely to deny their problem, to assert, “I’m perfectly happy. I don’t need friends.” As a parent,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/socially-anxious-people-of-any-age-are-likely-to-deny-their-problem/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ Anxiety and the Social Process Generally, in life, we only make progress when we are willing to take risks. If you don’t take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/anxiety-and-the-social-process-generally-in-life-we-only-make/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ Social Skills Training Social skills training is based on the belief that socially anxious people lack certain social skills, such as how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-moehn/social-skills-training-social-skills-training-is-based-on-the-belief/) [Heather Moehn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-moehn/) > [“Luckily, I was not born a white man.1 I was born a socially anxious Indian woman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/luckily-i-was-not-born-a-white-man-1-i-was-born-a-socially-anxious/) [Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/) > [We were at this point of recognisability where we couldn't even walk around anymore... I was really socially anxious and strange.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cole-sprouse/we-were-at-this-point-of-recognisability-where-we-couldn-t-even-walk/) [Cole Sprouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cole-sprouse/) > [“Groups are, in a sense, a microcosm of the real world. In all groups, there are leaders and followers . . . and many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/groups-are-in-a-sense-a-microcosm-of-the-real-world-in-all-groups/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“To act on this fear—a fear of being evaluated then dismissed by others—was to forgo a friendship that actually had some possibilities. In many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/to-act-on-this-fear-a-fear-of-being-evaluated-then-dismissed-by/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“The first step in overcoming your problem is to acknowledge that what you call shyness is anxiety, a very specific kind of anxiety. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/the-first-step-in-overcoming-your-problem-is-to-acknowledge-that-what/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“Anxiety does not exist to control you. You exist to control it. It is, as I said, a simple fact of life that can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/anxiety-does-not-exist-to-control-you-you-exist-to-control-it-it-is/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ CONVERSATION GUIDELINES What is the secret to good conversation? Shared interest in the subject; easy, natural flow from topic to topic; humor, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/conversation-guidelines-what-is-the-secret-to-good-conversation/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“The more you understand about anxiety, the more you will be able to control it. Remember, social anxiety is not some abstract phenomenon or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/the-more-you-understand-about-anxiety-the-more-you-will-be-able-to/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ The Resume Your resume is like an advertisement for you as a job candidate. It should present you in the best possible light.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/the-resume-your-resume-is-like-an-advertisement-for-you-as-a-job/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) ## More by Jonathan Berent > [“ . . . Because of a lack of self-confidence and an inability to function independently . . .” It may be easier to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/because-of-a-lack-of-self-confidence-and-an-inability-to-function/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, which is the reference manual used by mental health professionals to diagnose psychological problems, defines the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/the-diagnostic-and-statistical-manual-of-mental-disorders-which-is/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ Body Orientation When someone does approach and speak to you, pay careful attention to the extent to which you face that person. Facing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/body-orientation-when-someone-does-approach-and-speak-to-you-pay/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ Three Opening Topics of Conversation Use your information-gathering skills to devise topics that would interest you both. As your conversation proceeds, listen carefully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/three-opening-topics-of-conversation-use-your-information-gathering/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ Nodding You can nod your head to show that you are listening and understanding what is being said. Nodding is a sign of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/nodding-you-can-nod-your-head-to-show-that-you-are-listening-and/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ Posture The first impression you make is likely to be from several feet away. 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When there is physical attraction,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/courting-and-friendship-reciprocals-reciprocals-are-the-signals/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ The Resume Your resume is like an advertisement for you as a job candidate. It should present you in the best possible light.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/the-resume-your-resume-is-like-an-advertisement-for-you-as-a-job/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“It may help you to jot down a few notes to alleviate any fear of becoming tongue-tied—your name, the position or company you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/it-may-help-you-to-jot-down-a-few-notes-to-alleviate-any-fear-of/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“This portion of the chapter is directed at those of you whose son or daughter or other relative is in denial about his or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/this-portion-of-the-chapter-is-directed-at-those-of-you-whose-son-or/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“The more you understand about anxiety, the more you will be able to control it. Remember, social anxiety is not some abstract phenomenon or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/the-more-you-understand-about-anxiety-the-more-you-will-be-able-to/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ CONVERSATION GUIDELINES What is the secret to good conversation? Shared interest in the subject; easy, natural flow from topic to topic; humor, when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/conversation-guidelines-what-is-the-secret-to-good-conversation/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“ Changing Topics Changing topics gracefully is the hallmark of an excellent conversationalist. Changing topics keeps the conversation fresh and allows you to explore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/changing-topics-changing-topics-gracefully-is-the-hallmark-of-an/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) > [“Anxiety does not exist to control you. You exist to control it. It is, as I said, a simple fact of life that can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-berent/anxiety-does-not-exist-to-control-you-you-exist-to-control-it-it-is/) [Jonathan Berent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) [Explore all 113 Jonathan Berent quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-berent/) ## More Confidence quotes > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) Senoraroy > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) [Browse all 11,290 Confidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“ LOW SELF-ESTEEM Characteristic of most people with social anxiety is low self-esteem. I showed you the sequence in Chapter 1. What is the connection between low self-esteem and social anxiety? A person who has experienced years of failure and frustration will suffer from a lack of self-confidence unless he or she learns appropriate strategies that can break the cycle of negative thinking and allow real behavioral change to take place. In some cases, early peer rejection has caused the socially anxious person to develop a poor self-image. 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