OUR STATE’S SELF ESTEEM CRISIS

monday 20 June 2005 -- The majority of adults in New South Wales (NSW) are setting unrealistic expectations in all or most areas of their lives, according to new research¹ released today. 

Findings show that three quarters of adults in NSW describe themselves as self-perfectionists most or some of the time – and self-perfectionism is one of the most common symptoms of low self esteem and depression.

The research was conducted for St John of God Health Services - the largest not-for-profit provider of mental health care in New South Wales .

The findings reveal that while three quarters of adults in NSW describe themselves as self-perfectionists, three quarters of those with a spouse or partner also describe their counterpart as self-perfectionists. 

Dr Gary Galambos , Consultant Psychiatrist at St John of God Health Services says these findings indicate the prevalence of this potentially damaging way of thinking.

“What many people don’t realise is that self-perfectionism is one of the most common symptoms of low self esteem,” said Dr Galambos. 

“People with low self esteem tend to be very hard on themselves and set very high and rigid standards in all or most areas of their lives - higher than they would expect others to meet.

“The important thing to realise is there’s no such thing as perfection.  These figures tell us there’s a substantial amount of people out there whose self-expectations may not match up with reality,” he said. 

According to Dr Galambos, while a certain level of self-doubt is normal, when low self esteem starts interfering with everyday activities it can lead to serious mental illnesses.

“Chronic low self esteem often lies at the core of mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety.  At St John of God Health Services we treat at least 1000 people each year for these types of illnesses,” said Dr Galambos.  

Professor Ian Hickie, Psychiatrist and Clinical Advisor of beyond blue: the national depression initiative says this research demonstrates the potentially widespread need of seeking treatment.  

“Depression and anxiety are the most common of all mental health complaints.  Together they account for most of the economic, social and personal costs of mental disorders in Australia , and internationally” said Professor Hickie.

“beyondblue encourages people experiencing depression, anxiety and chronically low self esteem to approach their doctor about possible treatments.”

According to Dr Galambos, at the heart of low self esteem lies negative beliefs about one’s self.  “People with low self esteem tend to focus on their failures rather than successes.  The negative beliefs are accepted as fact instead of unhelpful opinions.

“It’s common for these people to tend towards thinking errors, such as ‘black and white’ thinking, negative filtering and jumping to conclusions,” he said.

The survey also reveals that one third of adults in NSW admit to jumping to conclusions most or some of the time, i.e. making assumptions and acting on them without first considering all the evidence or facts.   

Additionally, nearly half of NSW adults describe their spouse or partner as exhibiting this particular behaviour most or some of the time.

“Low self esteem can cause people to tend to jump to whatever conclusion reflects badly on them without first considering all of the evidence,” said Dr Galambos.

When asked whether their spouse or partner is ‘dominant and aggressive’ or ‘passive and unassertive’, 23 percent chose ‘dominant and aggressive’ while 40 percent chose ‘passive and unassertive’.

“They say that opposites attract, but when it comes to self esteem, it’s often a case of like attracting like.  

“People with low self esteem tend to gravitate towards partners with low self esteem, i.e. people with ‘dominant and aggressive’ or ‘passive and unassertive’ personalities,” said Dr Galambos.

On the upside, 40 percent of NSW adults say they never experiencing feelings of worthlessness, i.e. they never feel they are unimportant or of little or no value.  However, 19 percent of adults in NSW say they do feel this way most or some of the time.  

“Feelings of worthlessness are often symptomatic of low self esteem.  This involves frequently comparing yourself to others and feeling like you’re not measuring up,” said Dr Galambos.

The goods news is that low self esteem can be treated.  St John of God Health Services provides treatment for various mental health problems, including self esteem.  Its self esteem treatment programs are designed to help patients develop self awareness, self acceptance and a sense a responsibility for themselves – all skills that will continue to support them throughout their lifetime. 

¹ This Newspoll study was conducted by telephone in May 2005 among 350 adults aged 18 years and over in NSW and ACT.

[ Home ] [ Up ] [ Computers in Psych ] [ Metaphorical models ] [ Doctors' Mental Health ] [ Dissertation - Exercise for Elderly Depression ] [ Publication - Exercise for Elderly Depression ] [ Inpatient Dynamics ] [ Sensory Deprivation ] [ Medication use in first onset psychosis ] [ Surviving Trauma ] [ Teen Exam Stress ] [ Anxiety Disorder Lecture ] [ Noradrenergic antidepressants lecture ] [ PTSD Lecture ] [ DMH Lecture ] [ DMH Lecture ] [ EP lecture 1 ] [ Psychiatric Emergencies ] [ Low self-esteem ] [ Being Perfect ] [ Anger Interview ] [ Living in a wealthy safe city... ] [ Stress Put to the test ] [ War of Words ] [ Over 55s ] [ EP lec ] [ EP radio IV ]

Citation suggestion: Dr Gary Galambos, Our Self Esteem Crisis (http://www.ep.org.au/gg/int/selfesteemcrisis.htm) [date accessed]

The materials provided on this website may be freely cited but reposting on other websites, publishing or other reproductions, whole or in part, are subject to the written permission of Gary Galambos. Images may be reproduced provided the source is properly acknowledged.  

Copyright (C) 1999-2005 Dr Gary Galambos M.B.B.S. F.R.A.N.Z.C.P.

Page last updated: 23 August 2005