Low self esteem does not necessarily show in bringing others down. You can just have a fucked up personality as well *shrug*

What is tricky about low self esteem is how it affects your own life, not so much that of others. Because some lock themselves up inside this bubble they created so as not to be hurt again. And if they dare to come outside that bubble, even a minor bad thing can cause them to crawl back into that bubble. In love for example. If you have been cheated on (one or several times), it will be harder for you to trust the next person you might develop feelings for. This can show in obsessive and jealous behavior, mood swings, a lack of trust and so on. Then if that person leaves you (because of the way you act), you get another blow because then you think: see...he/she left me as well...

It's difficult to get out of that way of thinking in fact and can result in several, unhealthy types of behavior (including putting others down before they do it to you...).

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