Unmasking the Roots of Anxiety and Low Self-Esteem: How Negative Core Beliefs Hold You Back
Do you ever feel like you’re just not good enough—no matter what you achieve?
Maybe you constantly criticize yourself or feel unworthy of love and respect. These feelings don’t come out of nowhere; they often stem from deeply rooted negative core beliefs. These subconscious thoughts shape how you view yourself, others, and the world, feeding anxiety and crippling self-esteem.
You work work really hard but nothing ever feels good enough.
Perhaps you work tirelessly and achieve great things, yet you still feel like it’s all due to luck, not your own abilities. Despite receiving praise from others, you can’t shake the feeling that you’re a fraud. Deep down, you might hold the belief: “I’m not good enough.”
In this blog, I’m sharing how common negative core beliefs influence anxiety and low self-esteem, and what you can do to start rewriting them.
Hi, I’m Amanda Parmley, MA, LCMHC
I am a counselor in Carolina Beach, NC, and I specialize in helping adults improve self-esteem, decrease anxiety, and move past trauma. I provide EMDR therapy to help clients process the deep-rooted beliefs and experiences that keep them stuck in cycles of stress, self-doubt, and anxiety.
Click the button below to begin your journey toward confidence and emotional freedom.
What exactly is a core belief?
Core beliefs are the deeply ingrained thoughts and assumptions you hold about yourself, others, and the world. They’re often formed in childhood and shaped by your early experiences, such as how you were treated by caregivers, peers, or authority figures.
While some core beliefs can be positive and empowering, negative core beliefs can act like mental filters, distorting your perception and reinforcing feelings of inadequacy, fear, or self-doubt. These beliefs often operate in the background, influencing your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors without you even realizing it.
For example, if your core belief is “I’m not good enough,” you might interpret neutral situations—like a coworker being quiet—as evidence of your inadequacy, even when it’s not true. Over time, this pattern fuels anxiety and erodes self-esteem.
The 5 Most Common Negative Core Beliefs That Fuel Anxiety and Low Self-Esteem
Many people live with these beliefs without realizing how much they impact daily life. Let’s explore five common ones:
“I’m Not Good Enough”
This belief often originates from critical parenting, bullying, or failure experiences. It leads to perfectionism, overthinking, and feeling like an imposter.
“I’m Unlovable”
Feeling unworthy of love can stem from rejection or abandonment in childhood. It creates fears of intimacy and chronic loneliness.
“The World is Unsafe”
This belief is common in those with anxiety, especially if they’ve experienced trauma. It makes you overly cautious and avoidant, limiting life’s possibilities.
“I’ll Always Fail”
Fear of failure can stem from past setbacks and feeds procrastination. This core beliefs is often associated avoiding challenges, or giving up too quickly.
“Others Will Reject Me”
This belief drives social anxiety and hypervigilance in relationships. You might people-please to avoid rejection, but it can lead to resentment and burnout.
Ready to let go of your negative core beliefs?
If you’re struggling with anxiety, perfectionism, low self-esteem, or if any of the above negative core beliefs sound familiar, you don’t have to keep feeling this way. EMDR therapy can help you establish healthier core beliefs by reprocessing the past events that are keeping you stuck and helping you build a healthier, more confident version of yourself.
How to Start Therapy with Amanda Parmley, MA, LCMHC:
1. Click the button below to request a free 15-minute consultation.
2.
Complete a short intake questionnaire.
3. Complete
the required screener
& take the phone call from Amanda Parmley at the prearranged & agreed-upon time.
4. Start your journey
to feeling better.
Additional Services Offered by Amanda Parmley, MA, LCMHC:
I specialize in working with clients experiencing anxiety, past trauma and low self-esteem, specifically through the use of EMDR. Experiencing chronic insomnia? I also provide CBT-I.
Interested in counseling and want to use your insurance? I accept many insurance plans. Reach out today to inquire whether I’m network.
Interested in attending counseling in the office? I'm located at 1328 N Lake Park Blvd, STE 109, Carolina Beach, NC 28428. Once you cross over Snow's Cut Bridge, take the first left at the light & I am located in Carolina Beach Pavilion.
Online Counseling
Are you interested in counseling but live too far to commute to the session? If you are located within the state of North Carolina & are interested in online counseling, reach out today to discuss whether this is the right option for you.