Relationship between fragile self-esteem and anxiety

Self-esteem, understood as the valuation we place on ourselves, and anxiety, as an emotional response to the perception of threat, maintain an intricate and often bidirectional relationship.

Fragile or low self-esteem can be both a vulnerability factor for the development of anxiety and a consequence of living with chronic anxiety. When self-assessment is consistently negative or unstable, the perception of the world and one's own abilities to cope with it tends to be more threatening.

A person with low self-esteem may constantly doubt their abilities, fear the judgment of others, and anticipate failure, which creates fertile ground for worry and anxious activation.

The fear of not measuring up, of being rejected, or of making mistakes intensifies when one lacks a solid foundation of self-acceptance and internal confidence. On the other hand, persistent anxiety can also erode self-esteem.

If a person constantly feels anxious, avoids situations, or fails to achieve goals due to fear, they may begin to see themselves as weak, incompetent, or defective, thus reinforcing a negative self-image.

This cycle, where low self-esteem fuels anxiety and anxiety further weakens self-esteem, can be difficult to break. Fu