10 Signs of Low Self-Esteem You Need to Watch Out For

5. Being Overly Defensive

Individuals with low self-esteem often react defensively to criticism, even when it’s constructive. They perceive feedback as a personal attack, reinforcing their insecurity.

How to Overcome:

• Pause and breathe before responding to criticism.
• Separate the feedback from your sense of identity.
• Ask clarifying questions to understand the intent behind the critique.