MyTherapy Discussion Forums - Do You Have Problems With Lack Of Self-Confidence?

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Bipolar Depression And Lack Of Self-Confidence

Do You Have Problems With Lack Of Self-Confidence?

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Administrator
Administrator

14912 Posts
Gratitude: 593
Very caring Very wise I agree

Posted - 10/21/2007 : 17:07:29

Dear Members,

Research has shown that lack of self-confidence is often a problem in bipolar depression.

In our Social Quality of Life Scale at:

http://www.mentalhealth.com/qol/IMHQOLScale_4.pdf

Courage is defined as either:

High: Is self-confident; acts on own convictions even if they are unpopular.

Low: Lacks self-confidence; feels inadequate; doesnt act decisively

Could you please tell our community if lack of self-confidence was part of your bipolar depression, and what made this better or worse.

Your comments will greatly help others facing these same problems.

Phil Long M.D.
Administrator

Noisette
Super Member (250+ posts)

567 Posts
Gratitude: 100

Posted - 11/14/2008 : 08:39:38

Hi Dr Long,
Ever since I've been diagnosed with BP it's like I have no faith in my actions any more. I'm always second guessing myself. My lack of self-confidence is really marked. I was never an overly confident person to start with. But apart from when I'm (hypo)manic I have very little confidence in my own abilities at all. It gets even worse when I'm depressed.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Sarah

And I'll feel my world crumbling
I'll feel my life crumbling
I'll feel my soul crumbling away
And falling away
Falling away with you. "Falling away with you" by Muse.

r2c3
New Member

84 Posts
Gratitude: 38

Posted - 02/04/2010 : 21:22:21

As a builder i need to be confident in what i do ,with the regulations changeing and much more competition for the dollar,i find it hard now to enter the market,this self confidence which in my life was fleeting i seemed to be unconfident as a child and now i fell the same.I hope i am making sense.In a nutshell i lack confidence and i would attibute this to my BP

Open mindedness is often cofused with weakness of character.
PK Shaw

Gephrey
Starting Member

4 Posts
Gratitude: 1

Posted - 03/29/2010 : 18:47:45

Good post!

I have definitely have noticed a lack of self confidence that has come with my bipolar diagnosis.

I often wonder if this lack of self confidence is a result of my depression or if there might be some social factors driving it. I'm particularly embarrassed by having bipolar disorder and I feel that it prevents me from opening up to other people. It makes me feel like a broken person. How can I be confident if I see myself as an inferior individual.

Also, while my manic symptoms are in remission now, I am fearful of triggering a relapse. I see how this might prevent me from taking risks and pursuing goals that might cause me stress.

I guess my question to anyone reading this is:
If you experience a lack of self confidence what do you see as the cause. And, have you figured out any techniques to over come this.

boticelli
Starting Member

36 Posts
Gratitude: 14

Posted - 10/30/2010 : 08:01:13

absolutely i have known a low self esteem like all of you since 19 when i was diagnosed and had my first mania. i am now 39 and i still haven't gotten my confidence back. i feel like i'm always pretending to be alright but really i am alone inside thinking i'm weird, crazy, not normal, a unfit human. it's hard. i get compliments from friends/family but i never believe them i feel like no one can ever really see what it's like inside me but me and it can be awful. bipolar is a very difficult illness to live with while feeling apart of the world and feeling equal to others, ugh.

warblaster
Super Incredible Member (10000+ posts)