The Cambridge dictionary defines insecurity as “a feeling of lacking confidence and not being sure of your abilities or of whether people like you.”

Insecurity is characterized by a sense of inferiority (not being competent enough) and anxiety. Insecurity; according to the American Psychological Association, is complex. It makes you worry about your ambitions, interactions, and capacity to manage difficult situations.

Insecurity affects everyone at some point in their lives. It can manifest itself in any aspect of life and be caused by several factors. It might result from a traumatic incident, experience patterns, social conditioning (learning rules by seeing others), or local contexts like school, job, or home.

The symptoms of insecurity are as varied as the condition itself. Some types of insecurity are apparent, while others are more difficult to detect. People who hide their anxieties do so to avoid being judged, yet this reinforces the uneasiness. Continue reading →

Insecurity Type 1 – Relationship Insecurity

A common form of insecurity is related to relationships or the emotional attachments you form with other people. This type of insecurity forms when you rely on a relationship with someone else to an extreme degree–the thought of that person leaving, abandoning you, or disappearing creates a sense of extreme anxiety. This insecurity type often arises when you fear a friend, partner, or family member leaving you for unrealistic or irrational reasons.

Insecurity Type 2 – Social Insecurity

This common form of insecurity is also referred to as “social anxiety.” This insecurity is triggered by a fear of how others might perceive you. For example, if you suffer from social insecurity, the idea of going to a party may feel crippling:

The idea of strangers judging you based on what you say, your clothing, or your actions is too insurmountable to even consider attending the party, so you avoid the social interaction. Continue reading →