Your Privacy is Important to us

We encourage you to review our Terms of Service, and Privacy Policy.

By continuing, you agree to the Terms listed here. In case you want to opt out, please click "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link in the footer of this page.

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

We won't sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.

Continue on TOI App
Open App
Login for better experience!
Login Now
Welcome! to timesofindia.com
TOI INDTOI USTOI GCC
TOI+
  • Home
  • Live
  • TOI Games
  • Top Headlines
  • India
  • City News
  • Photos
  • Business
  • Real Estate
  • Entertainment
  • Movie Reviews
  • Lifestyle
  • Podcasts
  • Elections
  • Web Series
  • Sports
  • TV
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Events
  • World
  • Music
  • Astrology
  • Videos
  • Tech
  • Auto
  • Education
  • Log Out
Follow Us On
Open App
  • ETIMES
  • CINEMA
  • VIDEOS
  • TV
  • LIFESTYLE
  • VISUAL STORIES
  • MUSIC
  • TRAVEL
  • FOOD
  • TRENDING
  • EVENTS
  • THEATRE
  • PHOTOS
  • MOVIE REVIEWS
  • MOVIE LISTINGS
  • HEALTH
  • RELATIONSHIP
  • WEB SERIES
  • BOX OFFICE

Men with low self-esteem show these weird signs in relationships

TOI Lifestyle Desk
| TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Last updated on - Sep 25, 2024, 09:38 IST
Comments
Share
1/7

​​Men with low self-esteem show these weird signs in relationships​


In modern relationships when trying to determine emotional bonding as well as compatibility. Many who suffer from low self-esteem men portray themselves in ways that dramatically affect their transactions with partners. Signs of low self-worth are crucial to identify; for such behaviour may prevent intimacy or mutual trust. Males struggling with low self-esteem are likely to behave in some predictable ways, such as always seeking approval, becoming defensive when criticized, and avoiding emotional closeness. These men can also be seen to exhibit behaviours associated with jealousy or possessiveness and, at the same time, tend to minimize their successes. Awareness of such traits helps the partner develop strategies to overcome such issues and build a mutually harmonious relationship. It is through the observation of such behaviors that couples can work together to foster healthier relationship dynamics leading to more fulfilling and resilient relationships.

2/7

​​Emotional dependence on a partner for reassurance​


Low self-esteem often makes men seek constant reassurance from their lovers. He would constantly ask his partner questions like "Do you love me?" or "Am I good enough?" This desire for assurance may be due to insecurity and fear of rejection, thus developing a dependent situation that tends to tear a relationship apart.

3/7

​​Defensive responses to criticism​


A man with low self-esteem often responds defensively or over-responds to minimal feedback. He might, instead of using criticism as an opportunity for improvement, misinterpret it as an attack on himself, which readily gives way to unnecessary conflicts and closes open communication.

4/7

​​Withdrawal from intimacy​


Low self-esteem can make males emotionally or physically withdraw from their partners. Perhaps fearing vulnerability, they worry that people will shun the contact if those flaws are exposed. This avoidance does not help the couple to maintain an emotional connection.

5/7

​​Jealousy and control​


Insecurity sometimes takes on the form of jealousy or even possessiveness. Sometimes, the man with low self-esteem has a paranoid fear that people must be jealous and will, in a pull to bring such 'jealousness' to his partner, act in controlling ways, thus creating a poisonous atmosphere of distrust for both parties.

6/7

​​Underplaying achievements​


For example, men with low self-esteem can take an extremely humble attitude and downplay everything they managed to do. They may say it was a coincidence, they did not really do much, or they do not deserve the praise given their success. It influences their self-esteem aside from how the significant other in their life recognizes and celebrates them.

7/7

Pulling you down

Men who are underconfident or have a low self-esteem often treat their partner poorly. They may even pull you down in front of others in order to appear better than you. This gives them a false sense of ego satisfaction.

Start a Conversation

Post comment
Featured In lifestyle
  • Heatwave safety tips and cooling hacks for parents: Keep your kids safe in this scorching heat
  • Pediatrician with over 35 years of experience shares 3 parenting lessons Indian parents can learn from Swiss families
  • Love vs ego: 7 powerful differences that can make or break your relationship
  • 5 Richest temples in India that are also incredible travel destinations
  • Peptides vs retinol: Which one is actually better for delaying skin ageing?
  • 5 simple things worth reminding yourself before the day begins
  • Success quote of the day by Nelson Mandela: "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in..."
  • Kriti Sanon's home is all things cheeky in a soothing abode: Art inspirations to take away
  • How aluminum foil can help protect plants from pests in the garden: 6 ways to use it
Photostories
  • Love vs ego: 7 powerful differences that can make or break your relationship
  • 7 royal palaces in India that are now luxury hotels
  • 20 dead, 37 rescued after fire breaks out at South Delhi's restaurant: NFPA's restaurant fire protection basics
  • Summer travel making you feel sick? Try these 8 home remedies that can beat nausea naturally
  • 5 simple things worth reminding yourself before the day begins
  • 5 Richest temples in India that are also incredible travel destinations
  • Cucumber (Kheera) vs Snake Cucumber (Kakdi): Which is more hydrating and how much to consume daily
  • 5 high-fiber flours that may help prevent blood sugar spikes and easy dishes
  • Success quote of the day by Nelson Mandela: "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in..."
Explore more Stories
  • 8
    Uttarakhand's Valley of Flowers is now open for 2026: Everything travellers need to know before visiting
  • 7
    7 royal palaces in India that are now luxury hotels
  • 6
    5 Richest temples in India that are also incredible travel destinations
  • 6
    5 simple things worth reminding yourself before the day begins
  • 7
    5 high-fiber flours that may help prevent blood sugar spikes and easy dishes
Up Next
  • ETimes
  • /
  • Life & Style
  • /
  • Relationships
  • /
  • Love & Sex
  • /
  • Men with low self-esteem show these weird signs in relationships
About UsTerms Of UsePrivacy PolicyCookie Policy

Copyright © Jun 3, 2026, 02.16PM IST Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. All rights reserved. For reprint rights: Times Syndication Service