Childhood trauma can lower our self-esteem by repeating a negative internal narrative of unworthiness, self-blame, and powerlessness. Trauma can lead to mistrusting ourselves with navigating situations well and mistrusting others, which can make it difficult to have the confidence to build healthy relationships and form our identities.
Aside from negative self-beliefs about feeling good enough, childhood trauma impacts self-esteem by disconnecting people from their emotions and distorting their sense of self. Self-blame is common with trauma, which also contributes to harm to self-worth. Emotional dysregulation can also contribute to self-esteem when those with childhood trauma have difficulty trusting their ability to manage stress and their moods.
Therapy can help with processing traumatic experiences, challenging limiting beliefs, and learning ways to cope in a healthy way, including compassionate self-talk, mindfulness, and building a support system to feel seen and understood.
Deb Falzoi
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