{"id":27351,"date":"2015-04-10T15:58:08","date_gmt":"2015-04-10T22:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?page_id=27351"},"modified":"2019-12-05T15:48:06","modified_gmt":"2019-12-05T23:48:06","slug":"insecurity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/insecurity\/","title":{"rendered":"Insecurity"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"College<\/a>Insecurity<\/strong>, or a tendency to lack confidence<\/a> or certainty in oneself, may be experienced by most people regarding some aspect of their lives. For many, feelings of insecurity can be resolved before they have a lasting, harmful impact. When one deals with generalized insecurity for a long period of time, however, the doubt and negative feelings<\/a> experienced may have a significant effect on life.<\/p>\n

Insecurity is linked to mental health conditions such as narcissism, anxiety, paranoia, and addictive or dependent personalities.
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What Is Insecurity?<\/h2>\n

A person with high levels of insecurity may often experience a lack of confidence regarding many aspects of life. It may be difficult for that person to form lasting relationships<\/a> or attend to daily tasks, due to a self-perception of helplessness<\/a> or inadequacy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Insecurity often causes negative thoughts about one\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s ability to fit in with peers, reach goals, or find acceptance and support. The condition often accompanies anxiety: Individuals who experience the feelings of fear<\/a>, worry<\/a>, and self-doubt<\/a> that characterize anxiety may easily feel similarly helpless to meet the challenges of daily life. Thus, they may find it easier to resist dealing with stressful<\/a> situations, feeling inadequately equipped to handle them.<\/p>\n

What Causes Insecurity?<\/h2>\n

There is no one cause of insecurity; many factors can lead to the condition. Insecurity may stem from a traumatic<\/a> event, crisis such as divorce<\/a> or bankruptcy, or a loss<\/a>. It can also result from one\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s environment, as unpredictability or upset in daily life can cause anxiety and insecurity about ordinary, routine events. People who have recurring insecurities may also have low self-esteem<\/a>, experience body image issues, lack direction in life, or feel overlooked by others.<\/p>\n

Insecurity also tends to surface in adults whose parents pushed them excessively in childhood, often due to their parents\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 desire for success rather than their own, and in adults whose significant others drive them to excel, often to an unrealistic level, regardless of the individual\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s own desires or goals.<\/p>\n

The attachment bond, or a child\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first love relationship, formed with the primary caregiver, also plays a large role in the development of insecurities. An insecure attachment<\/a> may result when the caregiver does not respond to the infant\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s needs adequately. An infant may develop an insecure attachment from abuse<\/a>, but also from simple isolation<\/a> or loneliness<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Children with a parent who is inconsistent or self-absorbed may grow up unable to form lasting emotional connections and be anxious and fearful, not knowing what to expect from life just as they did not know what to expect from the parent. Studies have also found people who commit violence<\/a> against their partners are more likely to have experienced an insecure attachment as a child.<\/p>\n

Intimate relationships can be another source of insecurity for many individuals. People who experience insecurity in their relationships may also be affected by attachment insecurity. Individuals in relationships with insecure attachment have been found to be more likely to interpret their partner\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s behavior as hostile or negative. This tendency can lead people to react defensively to their partners, which can escalate relationship conflict or even create conflict from a neutral interaction.<\/p>\n

Effects of Insecurity<\/h2>\n

Insecure individuals, in addition to struggling with the formation of healthy relationships, also may find it difficult to share emotions or be forthright about important aspects of daily life, such as those pertaining to work or school.<\/p>\n

An individual who is too anxious or insecure to speak up about their abilities and accomplishments may never receive a promotion, which in turn may facilitate further insecurity due to a perceived lack of ability. Insecurity about the economy or the stability of one\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s job can also take a toll on mental health and is connected to negative mood, hypertension, and other somatic<\/a> symptoms.<\/p>\n

Those who have difficulty forming relationships or meeting others because of chronic insecurity may become too shy<\/a> or anxious to face anyone at all, which can lead to a distancing from people in general. This distance can lead to isolation, which is associated with mental health issues such as depression, social anxiety<\/a>, and dementia<\/a>, as well as lower self-esteem.<\/p>\n

One type of insecurity, known as social insecurity, can also cause people to feel insecure in their relationships with others. Social insecurity can be self-perpetuating, as individuals with this type of insecurity may act on their feelings of rejection<\/a>, causing others to reject them in turn.<\/p>\n

Insecurity and Mental Health<\/h2>\n

Insecurity can be seen with a wide variety of mental health conditions and personality disorders, including:<\/p>\n