How Can Therapy Help in Improving Self-Esteem When Depressed?

Self-esteem refers to our subjective sense of our overall personal worth and value. Low self-esteem may manifest as feelings of worthlessness, a thwarted sense of belonging and poor self-confidence. It is associated with feelings of guilt, inadequacy, and self-doubt. It may hamper people from pursuing their goals or maintaining satisfying relationships.

Depression is a condition characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, low mood and loss of motivation. Sustained low self-esteem is often experienced in depression and may exacerbate feelings of guilt, hopelessness, and self-doubt. 

To learn more about depression, read Understanding Depression: Signs, Causes and Types. 

In therapy, those who lack self-esteem can receive assistance. A therapist can help in identifying and minimising negative self-talk. Along with goal-setting, people can practise self-compassion, both of which are associated with higher self-esteem.

In this article, we'll explore how therapy can help in building self-esteem in depression.

How Can Therapy Help in Improving Self-Esteem? 

A common type of talk therapy intended to help people understand their thoughts and beliefs and how those can affect their behaviour is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It is a tried-and-true method and is particularly effective for enhancing self-esteem.

In CBT, patients collaborate with their therapist to recognise cognitive patterns that can be reframed to make them more flexible and balanced. We can start to alter our thoughts for the better by realising how they affect how we feel about ourselves. Through CBT, we can learn practical tools to manage our emotions, thoughts and behaviour. 

CBT involves activities and tasks like journaling your thoughts or learning how to counter negative thinking with optimistic self-talk. These exercises gradually empower us to react more efficiently and thoughtfully to situations that had previously caused us distress or worry. CBT's powerful effects on improving self-esteem can lead to higher levels of general life satisfaction, more self-confidence, better social functioning, and even better physical health. 

Therapy also makes use of focusing on strengths over weaknesses, using cognitive restructuring techniques, and providing skills for coping with criticism and handling mistakes.

Boosting Self-Esteem in Depression

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a powerful technique for boosting self-esteem, especially in conditions like depression or anxiety. 

Consider this: When you're depressed, your self-esteem suffers. You can start to believe that you're not good enough and struggle with feelings of low self-worth. Therapy can support you in changing that perspective. Your therapist can assist you in comprehending the causes of your negative self-esteem. They can help you restore your self-esteem from the root while offering guidance for managing your emotions as you go through the process. Therapy provides a safe space for cultivating self-love and learning to value your own positive qualities. It gives people the chance to investigate the underlying causes of their emotions and create a comprehensive strategy for overcoming the effects of low self-esteem.

To begin with, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can be used to recognise and disprove any erroneous assumptions or negative thought patterns that may have developed as a result of depression. This can assist you in identifying and reframing your thought patterns as well as in creating better coping strategies for adverse circumstances.

For concentrating on addressing problems, creating meaningful relationships, and reconnecting with others, other fields like solution-focused therapy or interpersonal psychotherapy are also helpful. Having an understanding of one’s emotions and needs can lead to a greater sense of autonomy, reducing feelings of helplessness which are often encountered in depression.

Ultimately, therapy is an empowering environment that encourages individuals to work on their own mental health, cultivate self-confidence and take positive steps towards recovery. 

If you are struggling with depression or wish to seek support for your mental health concerns, consult a therapist.