Self esteem and its impact on a person living with an invisible disability. Also includes conflict resolution styles and it's intersection with self esteem

1. “You yourself, as much as anybody else as much
as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your
love and attention”
Siddhartha
*

2. What is self esteem?
Self esteem refers to a positive overall
evaluation of oneself – a feeling that
one is competent to cope with life’s
challenges and worthy of happiness.
Self concept is what we think about ourselves
Self esteem is what we feel about ourselves

3. *
*Being
spoken to
respectfully
Being
listened
to
Being
praised
Experiencing
success
Healthy
Self
Esteem

4. FACTORS INFLUENCING LOW SELF ESTEEM
Being
belittled,
ignored
Experiencing
setbacks
Having a
disability
Being
expected
to be
perfect
Low Self
Esteem
Being
criticized
or
ridiculed

5. Self Esteem & Epilepsy
Many life experiences have an impact on self esteem,
and being diagnosed with epilepsy also plays a role.
Coping with epilepsy is different for everyone.
Issues to consider
• An epilepsy diagnosis is life changing
• It can affect your day to day living depending on
your seizures
• Taking anti seizure medications may affect how you
feel, think and your ability to cope with the side
effects
• A person can experience memory problems
• Epilepsy may make it difficult to find a job or do
certain types of work
• Loss of confidence, anger

6. So how do I cope? What about my self-
esteem?
• Maximize the positive & minimize the negative.
Focus on your abilities more than your
limitations
• Avoid unrealistic comparisons. Everyone has
strengths & limitations
• Set realistic goals for yourself
• Do not over-generalize. If you cannot do
something because of your epilepsy, it is not
fair to conclude that you are a failure
• Avoid using “should” statements
• Appreciate yourself, all of yourself, that
includes appreciating your disability too

7. THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION
Having healthy self esteem can be challenging depending on
your employment situation.
Employment gives you a sense of purpose, it’s a connection to
other people and society.
Many people judge others on the work they do and there is a
stigma around unemployment, disability and illness.
You might believe that you should be doing better and that
impacts your self worth
If you’re looking for work the searching and application process
can be very draining and discouraging
If you are working but it’s not fulfilling, precarious or you are
overqualified this has an impact too as you may consider it a
“lesser” job or inadequate by some

8. WHAT DO I DO? THIS IS DIFFICULT……
• Realize that work does not define you. You are
more than your employment situation
• Know that all jobs matter
• Realize that finding work takes time
• Understand that set backs are normal
• Take advantage of the extra time
• Volunteer
• Take care of yourself
• Schedule some daily activities
• Take time off if you need to
• Seek out the support and help that you need

9. THE SOCIAL MIRROR
What is it?
The Social Mirror is “the way we see ourselves based on
current social paradigms, opinions and perceptions of the
people around us. In today’s society people are too caught
up with what others think of them, and also the ways
others see them” Stephen Covey
It is only that person’s input rather than an accurate
reflection of who you are
Think about the media, social media (Facebook,
Instagram), celebrities, the fashion industry
The social mirror is always changing
The social mirror is not accurate

10. SO…………
We have all of these internal & external pressures, sometimes it
leads to conflict (something’s gotta give right?)
Conflict is all around us, and at times we get involved, so how do
we engage in conflict resolution?
CONFLICT
First let’s understand what is
A situation in which there are opposing demands or ideas and a
choice has to be made between them.
A condition in which a person experiences a clash of opposing
wishes or needs.

11. CONFLICT RESOLUTION
Is the process of resolving a dispute
by addressing and meeting at least
some of each side’s needs &
concerns
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
It is an indispensable process to
create a productive work place and
effective team dynamics

12. There are two elements to Conflict Resolution
COOPERATIVENESS
Extent to which the individual attempts to satisfy
and consider the other individual’s issues
ASSERTIVENESS
Extent to which the individual attempts to satisfy
own concerns

13. FIVE STYLES OF CONFLICT
Competitive
Collaborative
Compromising
Accommodating
Avoiding

14. COMPETITIVE
A power oriented mode.
People will be operating from a position of
power, such as position or persuasive ability
Best used when swift action is required, in
case of emergency or when the decision is
undesirable
However it can leave people feeling
alienated when used in less important
situations

15. COLLABORATIVE
Is both assertive & cooperative
You try to meet the needs of all people involved
Cooperate effecitvely & acknowledge that
everyone is important
Best used to bring together a variety of viewpoints
to get the best solution or when the situation is too
important for a trade off

16. COMPROMISING
Is intermediate in assertiveness and
cooperativeness
You find a solution that will, to some extent,
satisfy everyone
Everyone is expected to give up & relinquish
something
Best used when 2 opponents with equal power are
committed to a mutually exclusive goal

17. ACCOMODATING
Is the opposite of competing, it’s unassertive & cooperative
Meeting the needs of others at the expense of your own needs
Conflict is perceived as a social and emotional issue and can be
resolved through with support and understanding
Best used when maintaining harmony and avoiding conflict is
more important
Best used when you realize that you were wrong and you want to
allow a better solution to be considered
Best used when you want to help your employees develop by
allowing them to tryout and learn from their mistakes

18. AVOIDING
Is unassertive and uncooperative
It’s avoiding the conflict entirely
Best used when the conflict is not important &
winning is impossible & you perceive that change
won’t occur
Best used to reduce tensions and get back to
productive levels and regain harmony and
compusure

19. People have a preferred conflict resolution style
Different styles can be most useful in different
situations
The conflict resolution style used is the result of
personal predispositions and the requirements of the
particular situation
The effectiveness of a conflict resolution style
depends on the requirements of the specific situation
and the skills by which you manage the situation

20. SCENARIOS