Self-Doubt: quick facts
Self-doubt is the uneasy questioning of one's own abilities, judgments, or decisions. It surfaces as hesitation and second-guessing, especially before challenges or after setbacks, and it can make a person feel…
Category
Moods & related states
Valence
Negative
Emotion family / blend
Self-conscious
Typical triggers
New challenges, past failures, criticism, high stakes, comparison
How it's expressed
Hesitation, second-guessing, lowered confidence, qualified speech
Sources: American Psychological Association — APA Dictionary: emotion; Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley — Emotions. Educational information only — not medical or psychological advice. See our sources & fact-check policy.