Husbands With Low Self-Esteem Always Do These 10 Things

Having low self-esteem can really affect how a person acts in a relationship. 

For husbands, this can lead to behaviors that might seem confusing or difficult to handle. 

These behaviors are ways they might unknowingly try to cope with feelings of not being good enough.

In this article, we’re going to talk about ten common things that husbands with low self-esteem might do. 

From being overly controlling to having a hard time accepting compliments, understanding these behaviors can help both partners see what’s going on beneath the surface.

So, whether you’re the one struggling with these feelings or you’re trying to help someone who is, knowing more about these behaviors can be a first step towards making things better. 

So, let’s take a closer look at what these behaviors are and how they can affect a relationship.

1. They Have Trust Issues

Often, men with low self-esteem might find it hard to trust their partners. 

They may feel insecure about themselves and worry that their partner might not find them good enough. 

This can lead to constantly questioning where their partner is and who they are with. Over time, such doubt can really strain a relationship.

Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship. Without it, everything feels uncertain and unstable. 

A husband with low self-esteem may struggle to believe in the loyalty and honesty of his partner, even if there’s no real reason to doubt. 

That lack of trust can make both partners feel less connected and more on edge.

Building trust takes time, especially when someone’s self-esteem is shaky. 

For these husbands, small actions and consistent behavior from their partner can sometimes help reassure them. 

However, it’s also important for them to work on their confidence and trust issues personally, possibly with professional help.

2. Easily Gets Jealous

Jealousy is a common issue for husbands who aren’t feeling great about themselves. 

They might see threats where there are none, like feeling uneasy when their partner talks to other people or has friends outside the relationship. 

Such jealousy can make social situations really stressful for both.

Jealous behavior often stems from fear—fear that they aren’t enough for their partner or that they’ll be replaced. 

Even normal interactions their partner has with others can seem like a big deal. This can lead to arguments and a partner feeling unfairly scrutinized or restricted in their social life.

Overcoming jealousy is tough but not impossible. It involves a lot of self-reflection and sometimes, the guidance of a counselor. 

For the relationship to thrive, it’s crucial for the jealous partner to express their feelings without making unfounded accusations or demands.

[Related: 12 Signs Your Husband Regrets Marrying You]

3. They’re Often Overly Controlling

Control can feel like a safety blanket for someone who feels insecure. 

By trying to control where their partner goes or who they see, a husband might believe he’s protecting the relationship. 

However, this usually has the opposite effect, pushing their partner away by limiting their freedom.

A controlling behavior often reflects a desire for security and predictability in a relationship. 

Unfortunately, it tends to suffocate the other person, making them feel trapped and frustrated. Relationships thrive on mutual respect and understanding, not control and domination.

To address controlling tendencies, it’s essential to recognize and discuss them openly. 

Support from a therapist can also be incredibly beneficial in understanding the root of these behaviors and learning healthier ways to relate to one another.

4. Inability to Make Decisions

Men with low self-esteem may hesitate a lot before making decisions, big or small. 

Whether it’s choosing a restaurant or making significant life choices, their uncertainty about themselves can prevent them from deciding. This can be frustrating for both the person and their partner.

Such indecisiveness often comes from a fear of making a mistake. They might worry about every possible outcome and feel paralyzed by the need to pick the “perfect” option. 

Unfortunately, this can lead to missed opportunities and a partner feeling like they have to take charge all the time.

Learning to trust their judgment and accept that not every decision will be perfect can help alleviate this stress. 

5. Egotistical

Interestingly, being egotistical can also be a sign of low self-esteem. 

Husbands may boast or exaggerate their accomplishments as a way to cover up their insecurities. 

While it might seem like they think highly of themselves, it’s often just a mask for how unsure they actually feel inside.

An egotistical attitude can be off-putting to others, including their partner. It might come across as arrogance or a lack of humility, which can be hard to deal with daily. 

Such behavior can also prevent genuine connection, as it’s tough to get close to someone who seems always to need to be the best or on top.

For someone who acts egotistically due to low self-esteem, learning to recognize and admit vulnerabilities can be transformative. 

It allows for more authentic relationships and helps them connect with their partner on a deeper, more honest level. 

Engaging in therapy or personal development can aid in this process, encouraging them to let go of the facade and be more genuine.

6. They May Abuse Their Wives

Abuse can sometimes happen in relationships where one partner feels really insecure about themselves. 

A husband might lash out, using harsh words or even physical actions, as a misguided way to deal with his own feelings of inadequacy. 

Obviously, this causes a lot of pain and can seriously harm the relationship.

Handling emotions in a healthy way is tough for someone who feels constantly on edge about their worth. 

Abuse is never an acceptable response, though. Recognizing this behavior as harmful is the first step towards change. 

Seeking help from professionals like therapists can be crucial in breaking these destructive patterns.

No relationship should ever involve fear. Talking about these issues openly and seeking help can sometimes lead to healing and improvement, but safety should always be the top priority. 

Partners in such situations often benefit from support groups or counseling to navigate these very challenging circumstances.

7. Overly Apologetic

Husbands who don’t feel great about themselves might say sorry a lot. Even for things that don’t really need an apology. 

It’s like they feel they have to keep the peace all the time or worry constantly about making mistakes. This can make conversations weird because it seems like they’re always on edge.

Apologizing too much can also make it hard for their partners to know when they’re truly sorry about something important. It might seem like they’re just saying it out of habit. 

Talking through these feelings and why they feel the need to apologize so much can help them see that not every mistake needs a “sorry.”

Building confidence in their actions and words is a good step forward. Sometimes, it also helps to set some rules about apologies—like only saying sorry when something truly goes wrong.

8. Clinginess

A husband who doesn’t see much value in himself might stick too close to his partner. 

Feeling insecure, he may worry about being alone or think he needs constant reassurance that everything’s okay. 

This clinginess can make his partner feel overwhelmed, like they need some space to breathe.

Being overly clingy isn’t just about wanting to be close; it’s about fear—fear of not being enough or of being left alone. 

A healthy relationship needs a balance where both people can be together and apart comfortably. 

Talking about these fears and finding ways to feel secure even when they’re not together is key.

Sometimes, hobbies or activities they can do on their own help build independence. 

Also, joining groups or therapy can provide support from others and reduce the pressure on the relationship.

9. Bad at Receiving Compliments

You might notice that some husbands shrug off compliments or act like they don’t deserve them. 

This can be because they don’t really believe they’re worthy of praise. 

When someone says something nice, instead of feeling good, they feel uncomfortable or doubt the sincerity of the compliment.

Rejecting compliments often leaves their partners feeling confused or like their kind words don’t matter. 

It’s important for them to understand that accepting a compliment graciously can strengthen bonds and boost their own self-esteem.

Encouraging them to simply say “thank you” when complimented can make a big difference. 

Over time, this small change can help them start to see themselves in a more positive light, recognizing their own value and the sincerity of others.

10. Overly Self-Critical

Lastly, husbands with low self-esteem can be really hard on themselves. They often focus on their mistakes more than their successes. 

Always criticizing themselves can make life pretty stressful and prevent them from enjoying good moments because they’re too busy worrying they’re not good enough.

Self-criticism to this extent can drain their energy and make their partner feel like they need to constantly lift their spirits. 

It’s important for them to learn to be kinder to themselves and recognize that everyone makes mistakes—what matters is learning and growing, not being perfect.

Talking to a therapist or counselor can help them work through why they feel the need to be so critical of themselves. 

Learning to celebrate small wins and accept that no one is perfect can help them feel better about who they are. 

[Read: 6 Signs of an Emotionally Immature Adult]