You might assume that how you view yourself affects your mental health — now, and in the future. If you have a negative sense of your worth, low self-esteem, or a sense of victimhood, it can be hard to see your own role in that self-image; and how it's been shaped by early trauma or harmful life experiences. That can make it more difficult to build greater mental health and well-being.
On the other hand, if you have a strong sense of your value and "presence" in the world, and strong self-confidence, those qualities are likely to show themselves with the internal strengths and the capacity for resilience you need in the face of difficulties or setbacks. But maybe not: If that sense of yourself is so fueled by narcissism and ego, you're more vulnerable to experiences that puncture your inflated view of yourself. And that undercuts your capacity for greater mental health; similar to the person with a diminished sense of self-worth.
But there's one important factor common to both of the above personalities. One factor, one capacity, is a hallmark of mental health, or at least of the potential for building greater health and well-being. I've seen it throughout my decades of psychotherapeutic work, and now some empirical research provides evidence of it. It's the capacity to laugh at yourself.
[For more on this story by Douglas LaBier Ph.D., go to https://www.psychologytoday.co...th-laughing-yourself]
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