Low self-esteem can be a problem in someone’s life, because the person fails to recognize and utilize his or her own strengths and/or highlight their weakness. As a result, the person acts as if he or she is not important, does not have anything to offer, and is less valuable than almost everyone else.

With such ideas, it is common for people with low self-esteem to submit themselves to others in ways that cause them to experience humiliation and exploitation. They tend to endure relationships that are not healthy, because they think they cannot attract others who will be interested in them as partners, co-workers, or friends. Moreover, the mistreatments they experience become proof of the low value they have, because they do not realize that it is the relationships that are unworthy and not themselves.

They also tend to avoid situations in which they have to perform, because of the exaggerated idea that if they fail, they are ruined. With this attitude, they deprive themselves of further sharpening their skills, and the world misses out on the significant contributions they could have made to their environment, community, and relationships in general.

In addition, another manifestation of low-self esteem is misreading people’s comments as highlighters of their weaknesses. The person perceives to be in the “negative spotlight”, which is the believe that people are noticing them in a less flattering manner. This in turn causes the person to have dysfunctional responses such as withdrawing from meaningful situations or attacking others to defend themselves.

Problems with self-esteem can occur regardless of level of intelligence (IQ). It is important to assess how these ideas are produced in the person’s mind, in order to correct misjudgments about self and others. Therapy can benefit someone with low self-esteem, because the therapist can help the client to evaluate those thoughts that are sabotaging that person’s life.