The signs of insecurity tend to overlap with poor self-esteem and self-worth, and while some symptoms prove consistent, others change frequently and without warning. Signs that you're feeling insecure could include: An overriding feeling of inadequacy. Low self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth.
By definition, an insecure person is a person who feels shy or uncertain around others and lacks confidence or self-assurance. Despite attempts by themselves and others, insecure people often find it difficult to feel good around others. Face to face contact or communication may cause them to feel uneasy.
“Some of the most common insecurities and relationships include emotional insecurity, attachment insecurity, physical insecurity, financial insecurity, professional insecurity, and social insecurity,” explains LaTonya P.
The kind of childhood you had, past traumas, recent experiences of failure or rejection, loneliness, social anxiety, negative beliefs about yourself, perfectionism, or having a critical parent or partner can all contribute to insecurity.
The fear of being socially judged is one of the most common forms of insecurity. Some people feel self-conscious, anxious, and fearful when in front of others. It doesn't matter whether it's a group of colleagues or family members. This can extend to even the smallest of social encounters like a date.
A root fear: Overthinking stems from a particular insecurity or root fear. This insecurity may be from childhood, a past relationship, or general low self-esteem or trust issues.
You talk too much, except for when you don't
“Talking too much, or not talking at all, is a telltale sign of insecurity,” says Wood. “Insecure people are self-focused rather than connection-focused, so they don't pick on normal conversational cues.
Insecure people often use criticism of others as a way to feel better about themselves. See, people who are insecure consistently feel bad about themselves. And often, they don't know how to feel better in a healthy or productive way. So they often resort to criticizing others.
What Is Emotional Insecurity? Insecurity can produce anxiety from uncertainty and thinking that you are not good enough. It is a measure of the stability of a person's emotional state triggered by factors like self-image and ego. Emotional insecurity is one of the biggest hindrances to building a solid relationship.
Insecure types are extremely risk averse and unproductive. Some can be downright nasty or display abusive behaviors. Here are their most common toxic behaviors, according to Harvard career expert Amy Gallo: They are overly concerned about what others think of them.
Often, low self-esteem makes people fear that they're a burden, which fuels the fear of abandonment. Fears and anxieties join insecurity to invade thoughts.
They also notice an elevation in concern when their bodies are overly stressed (hyperstimulation also causes the fear center to become more active). Experiencing an increase in worry about uncertainties and insecurities when already anxious and stressed is a phenomenon we often see in our anxious clients.
Jealousy is a complex emotion that we often think of in terms of love and relationships, but it can also show up when comparing yourself to others. It can involve feelings of envy, insecurity, resentment, and suspicion.
Insecurity is linked to mental health conditions such as narcissism, anxiety, paranoia, and addictive or dependent personalities.
Both fear and insecurity deal in uncertainty. Insecurity reflects uncertainty about yourself and your capabilities. Fear involves uncertainty about what could happen as a result of the perceived threat. Remember: fear is the belief that something is dangerous, not the indisputable fact that it is dangerous.
Signs that you're feeling insecure could include: An overriding feeling of inadequacy. Low self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth. Like they are unable or ill-equipped to cope with stressors.
One of the biggest insecurities people can develop throughout their lives is how one's face looks; acne, oily skin, moles, freckles or even scars are marks that can lead people to think they're unattractive and therefore feel insecure.