A friend of mine's low self-esteem is quite dependant on reassurance; "my self esteem would be dead if you wern't around to reassure me =/" My intention is never just to do that though; I often try to give her practical advice but I'm not as effective as I'd like to be.

You could say she's making gradual progress as in beginning to accept compliments now, and gaining a confidence boost from them. However she confesses that what's holding her back from independently believing in herself is fear of disappointment, therefore not just causing her to avoid getting her hopes up- there's always relapse into habitual self-deprecation so she can yearn hopelessly for a prospect; the reward of that long-awaited acknowledged achievement.

She cannot find self-actualisation from within like introverted me, so I was wondering if her situation is more a matter of trait/temperament or the warped thinking?

Do any of you guys know someone, or yourself to be addicted to reassurance as well?

Thanks, all replies would be appreciated.