SELF-CRITICISM
Do you feel beaten down by self-criticism?
High self-critics are constantly looking for personal weakness and failure, and their self-evaluation is relentlessly negative. Self-critical thoughts take the form of self-bashing and may sound like: “I’m not good enough” and “I can’t do anything right.” When a failure or set-back does occur, a self-attack may be activated. During a self-attack, the most destructive form of self-criticism, feelings of disgust and hatred for oneself are at all all-time high and have the potential to contribute to thoughts and behaviors related to self-injury.
10 general signs that you are overly self-critical:
- Feeling easily disappointed in yourself
- Relentless self-evaluation that is negative
- Blaming yourself for negative outcomes
- Excessive concern with failure
- Inability to derive satisfaction in the face of success
- Ongoing efforts to find or overly analyze mistakes/flaws
- Avoidance of risk-taking behaviors
- Holding impossibly high standards
- Body image issues
- Desire to destroy, harm, or punish parts of yourself
5 signs of being overly self-critical in relationships:
- Difficulty accepting compliments
- Defensive in the face of feedback
- Avoidance of expressing your opinion
- Comparing yourself to others
- Difficulty asking for help
It’s time to rethink about the perceived benefits of self-criticism.
Many people hold the view that self-criticism is important to creating a successful life path. In this regard, self-criticism is a source of motivation that keeps them from disappointing themselves and others. A self-statement that aligns with this view may be something like, “Well, self-criticism has gotten me this far and there is no sense in abandoning it now.”
However, did you know that high self-criticism has been shown to sabotage healthy self-esteem, goal setting, relationships with others, and mental health and wellness?
Self-criticism is related to mental health issues such as:
Self-criticism also contributes to poor relationships with others characterized by:
- Interactions that are cold, distant, or cynical
- Feelings of inferiority
- Less self-disclosure in intimate relationships
Learn how to break the cycle of self-criticism.
Counseling and therapy at Wellness Grove…
Our in-person (outpatient) counseling services are offered in Canton OH (near Akron, North Canton, and Massillon). We also offer telemental health sessions to all Ohio residents.
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