Reddit mentions of Beat Low Self-Esteem With CBT (Teach Yourself)

First off, help yourself or get help. If you know you have low self-esteem then start working on it. A [book] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beat-Low-Self-Esteem-CBT-Yourself/dp/0340991518) that helped me a lot was "Beat Low Self-Esteem". Once you've got your self-esteem back up, you should start to feel like you can handle things a lot better. Another brilliant [book] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Managing-Depression-Dummies-Lifestyles-Paperback/dp/1118357183) is "Managing Depression With CBT For Dummies". There is a section about Self-Esteem which is very valuable.


Communication really is the key. If it's getting too much for you, then you need to let your partner know. Express any concerns you have. Keep in mind it's not what you say but how you say it! Also have you thought about joining any online (or physical) support groups designed for partner's who are with someone who is mentally ill? This would help share your worries with others in the same situation as you. You may even learn valuable techniques from them.

Lastly, nicely encourage your partner to help out a little more. Maybe write out a planner, one day you're responsible the next day he is. This will allow you both to get a break. Maybe make an agreement to go out into public once a week for at least half an hour. Start small and add on as weeks go by. Try a reward chart, it may seem like something for younger people but it really isn't! Having something to work towards can be very rewarding. Your partner really needs to start helping himself out. So make sure you're mentioning different type of help he can get ranging from medication (I personally try to avoid), to support groups, online chats, therapy, self-help books and so on. Refresh his memory with safety behaviours, avoiding the phone will only make his anxiety worst.

It's a very long, hard progress, some are worst than others but in the end the hard work and effort really does help. 6 years ago I was so crippled with anxiety that I couldn't leave the house. I can feel it creeping back more and more now but I still force myself to do things. It's difficult but feels so good afterwards.

I hope nothing I've said has caused any offence and more importantly that it helped. Don't forget you're only human. It is not expected of you to be a superhero all the time. It's okay to struggle every now and then.