Plenty of relationship issues are caused by low self-esteem in one partner or even both. If it’s not something you’re actively working on overcoming, it might place plenty of obstacles on the path to a healthy and fulfilling relationship.
Find out more about the most damaging self-esteem relationship problems, from the more common ones, linked to low self-esteem, to the ones related to an inflated self-esteem, which can often turn into narcissism.
Relationship Problems Caused by Low Self-Esteem
Struggling with low self-esteem can have effects that shake your relationship to the core. Without self-confidence, you’re a lot more likely to mistrust your partner, to develop jealousy, and to sabotage your relationship in plenty of other ways as well. Find out how low self-esteem can cause relationship trouble, and even lead to a breakup.
Facing Communication Issues
Without the confidence to ask for what you need, you won’t really get the full benefits of a loving relationship. Poor communication is one of the basic self-esteem relationship problems, and being afraid of asking for your needs to be met will only breed frustration and resentment toward your partner.
Needing to Test His Love
Low self-esteem is also linked to an unhealthy habit of demanding proof of love. Testing your partner’s affections will come across as a game where he’s the loser, no matter what he does. Asking him to bend over backwards just to prove how much he loves you might actually be linked to your subconscious desire to sabotage a relationship that you don’t think you deserve.
Settling for Less
Dating anyone who’ll show any interest in you or settling for financial security in a relationship where there’s no real connection are other common self-esteem relationship problems. Before you make any major commitments, work on your low self-esteem issues through counseling, in order to avoid doing anything you’ll regret.
See also: 7 Signs He’s Not in Love Anymore
Cultivating Insecurity
When you’re lacking self-confidence, you easily get used to a constant state of insecurity. From jealousy to fear of rejection, you might actually create reasons to feel insecure. That can be very stressful, and it takes a toll on your health, but it will also push your partner away.
Dealing with Intimacy Issues
One of the most upsetting self-esteem relationship problems is the inability to really become intimate with the guy you love, because you’re holding back. Creating emotional distance is something many people struggling with low self-esteem turn to right when their relationship is moving in a healthier direction.
Increasing the Risk of Abuse
Low self-esteem also increases your risk of being in an abusive relationship. You can attract predatory men more easily, and they’ll be very happy to stop any of your efforts to build up self-esteem. Even if there’s no physical violence, verbal abuse can still reinforce the notion that you don’t deserve better and keep you stuck in a toxic relationship.
Relationship Problems Caused by Extremely High Self-Esteem
If you’re at the opposite end of the spectrum, excessively high self-esteem can lead to narcissistic traits that can be just as bad for your relationship. While most self-esteem relationship problems stem from issues related to low-self esteem, some can ruin your relationship because you think too highly of yourself.
Failing to Compromise
You can’t have a successful relationship without compromise, and sometimes that also means sacrifice. If the only choices you leave your partners are your way or the highway, you’ll end up alone very often. Choose your battles carefully, and don’t try to impose your opinions when your partner is doing something that doesn’t really affect you at all.
Forgetting That Every Relationship Is Work
One of the less common self-esteem relationship problems, the unwillingness to put in any kind of effort in your relationship will keep them short. If you’re never satisfied with your partners, and you’re looking to upgrade or break up at the first sign of trouble, you won’t be able to forge a healthy relationship.
