- Criticism: When someone criticizes or belittles you, it can bruise your ego and leave you feeling wounded.
- Rejection: Being rejected or ignored by someone can also cause a blow to your pride, especially if it's in a social or professional context.
- Failure: Experiencing a setback or failure can be tough on your self-esteem, making you feel like your abilities or worth are being questioned.
- Comparisons: Constantly comparing yourself to others and feeling inferior can lead to wounded pride.
- Public embarrassment: Being subjected to public ridicule or humiliation is another common cause of wounded pride.
When pride is wounded, it can trigger various emotions such as anger, resentment, shame, and frustration. It can also impact behavior, leading to defensiveness, avoidance, or attempts to restore one's self-image.
It's important to address wounded pride in a healthy way to prevent negative consequences on mental well-being. This may involve acknowledging and processing the hurt feelings, seeking support from others, practicing self-compassion, and working on building a more resilient self-esteem.