I have self-esteem issues too- I've had many other issues, but the self-esteem problem is the one with the most layers protecting it, the hardest one to even start working on.

I think of it as the youngest, most vulnerable part of me really believes that all those horrible things people led me to believe about myself are actually true, and that everything is all my fault.

It's relatively easy to say, yeah, you're a good person, it's not your fault, but it's quite the chore to start fixing it, to make the truth actually hit home. Reminds me of that scene in Good Will Hunting where Robin Williams' character is telling Will that it's not his fault, and he keeps repeating it, over and over, over and over again until Will "gets" it.

My first baby step toward healing was realizing, really getting it, that what happened to me was not my fault.

Anyway, I sure hope this helps some. Take care and hugs!