How Does Low Self Esteem Affect a Teenager?

Having positive self-esteem means that you like yourself and feel valuable to others. A healthy self-esteem gives your teen the confidence to help him to stick to his own values, make good decisions and be himself. However, the teen years can be tough on a child, resulting in low self-esteem that may make him feel incompetent, unworthy and unlovable.

  1. Signs of Low Self-Esteem

    • If you are concerned about your teen having low self-esteem, watch for specific signs. Physical symptoms include frequent insomnia, headaches and fatigue. Your teen may start to seem socially withdrawn, becoming excessively preoccupied with her problems. She may also become hostile and sensitive to any type of criticism. It's not uncommon for a person with low self-esteem to feel worthless and stop trying to achieve personal or academic goals, notes Margarita Tartakovsky, a psychologist at the website, PsychCentral. Other things to watch for include skipping meals, losing weight quickly and exercising excessively.

    Teen Girls

    • As many as 7 in 10 girls feel that they are not good enough in some areas, whether it's their looks, relationships or performance in school, according to DoSomething.org. It also states that at some point, more than 70 percent of girls ages 15 to 17 avoid normal activities like going to school, due to low self-esteem. An unhealthy self-esteem can cause teen girls to be insecure and shift much of their focus on their bodies, which often makes their physical appearance become their sense of self, notes Vanderbilt University. This can sometimes trigger negative body image, eating disorders and stress. Low self-esteem can also cause teen girls to engage in inappropriate activities like bullying, drinking, smoking and cutting.

    Teen Boys

    • Boys often struggle with low self-esteem during the teen years as well. This causes them to struggle with insecurity, negative body image and feelings of being an outcast among peers. Teens are trying to figure out who they are, who they want to be and what they want to do with their lives, which in itself can cause self-esteem issues, since it can be an intimidating and stressful time, states KidsHealth from Nemours. Teen boys that have low self-esteem have difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships and often find it hard to ask for help.

    Boosting Self-Esteem

    • No parent wants to see their teen struggle with low self-esteem. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help your teen. Praise her when she deserves it. Just be sure it's sincere and not being given just to make her feel good, advises the American Academy of Pediatric's website, HealthyChildren.org. Offer constructive criticism, include her in family decisions to make her feel more grownup, encourage her and support her in her interests and talents. For example, if she finds a hobby or sport that she really enjoys and does well at, be her biggest cheerleader. Model positive self-esteem. Be confident and avoid talking negatively about your own body. Treat each member of your family with respect and affection.

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