Feelings of worthlessness involve seeing yourself as unnecessary, unimportant or unable to contribute to other people's lives. It may feel as though your efforts change nothing, your achievements do not matter and others could easily manage without you.
These thoughts may occur during periods of extreme stress, loss, failure, burnout, or major life changes. They can also accompany depression and some other mental conditions. Feelings of worthlessness alone do not allow for a diagnosis.
What is important to know
Feelings of worthlessness do not always reflect a person's true value or contribution to the lives of others. Emotional state can significantly influence how a person evaluates himself, his abilities and relationships with others.
With depression, a negative assessment of oneself sometimes becomes especially pronounced. A person may devalue his own achievements, notice mainly mistakes and not take into account what he does well.
It is also important to distinguish feelings of worthlessness from temporary dissatisfaction with oneself. If the experience becomes persistent and spreads to almost all areas of life, it is worth paying special attention to it.
How can feelings of worthlessness manifest themselves?
A person may think or feel:
“I am of no use”;
“I don’t do anything well enough”;
“others would have managed without me”;
“my achievements mean nothing”;
“I only create problems for others”;
“I can’t change anything”;
“I have nothing to offer others.”
Sometimes, because of these experiences, a person stops taking initiative, refuses new opportunities, avoids communication, or notices his own achievements less and less.
What to pay attention to
How long ago did the feeling of worthlessness appear and how often does it occur?
Is it related to a specific situation or extends throughout life.
Is there simultaneously a depressed mood, apathy, anhedonia, guilt or hopelessness?
Have you become more likely to devalue your achievements or compare yourself to others?
Do you feel like you are a burden to your loved ones?
Has it become more difficult to accept praise or recognize your own strengths?
Does the condition affect work, school, relationships, decision making, or self-care.
Do you feel like you want to isolate yourself, refuse help, or stop doing things that are important to you?
Do you have thoughts that others would be better off without you?
What can help
Learn to separate emotional feeling from facts. The feeling of “I'm worthless” can be very persuasive, but it is not necessarily an objective assessment of the situation.
Helps you pay attention not only to major achievements, but also to small actions: completed duties, supporting a loved one, taking care of yourself, solving an everyday problem. Sometimes when your mood worsens, it is precisely these things that cease to be perceived as significant.
Identify overgeneralized conclusions about yourself and ask the question: “What facts really support this idea and what facts contradict it?”
When to ask for help
Contact your doctor or mental health professional if feelings of worthlessness persist, worsen, or noticeably affect your work, relationships, activities, and ability to care for yourself.
Professional help is especially important if you simultaneously experience severe depression, hopelessness, strong feelings of guilt, loss of interest in life, or the belief that you are a burden to others.
If feelings suddenly arise or intensify, urgent professional help is needed.
This information does not replace an individual medical consultation.
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