According to our 2023 Annual Survey (Australia), 78% of our customers said incontinence had an impact on their mental health. With 81% saying the condition had negatively affected their social life.

So with these statistics, it’s safe to say that incontinence can then also affect a person’s self-esteem.

While the reasons will vary from person to person, self-esteem could be affected because of factors like:

• Being worried about leaking/having an accident when in public

• Feeling as though there’s something ‘wrong’ with them

• Not wanting people to know they’re wearing incontinence aids

• Feeling as though people are judging them

• Concerned others may smell incontinence-related odours

Before we dive into ways to boost one’s self-esteem, we want to reiterate that no one is lesser than because they have incontinence. While we acknowledge that the condition can present challenges, it does not detract from who you are as a person!

You are strong and you deserve to feel happy and confident. We hope you find the below tips to boost your self-esteem helpful in some way.

If you need immediate mental health support you can call Samaritans on 116 123, 24 hours a day 7 days a week. For emergencies call 999.

They might seem small, but the positive impact that saying kind words to yourself can have shouldn’t be underestimated!

Positive affirmations are statements that can help a person overcome negative thoughts and boost their confidence and self-esteem. They are designed to challenge the individual’s thoughts and behaviours that are a detriment to their character.

Positive affirmation statements will be very personal to the individual saying them, however here are some examples to help inspire your own!

• “I am loved”

• “I am not my condition”

• “I let go of the negative thoughts I have about myself”

• “I am a caring, supportive person”

• “I am confident and I can overcome any challenge”

• “I am at peace with my body”

Choose a particular time of day that best suits you to say your affirmations to yourself out loud and without any distractions. You will need to do this consistently (for at least 3 weeks) to start experiencing the benefits.

You can also write down your affirmations onto sticky notes and stick them on your bathroom mirror, on your desk at work or school - really wherever suits you best! You can even record yourself saying the affirmations, or find positive affirmation podcasts/recordings, which you can then listen to.

Those who love and care for you will always build you up and offer support. So it’s important, should you be struggling with self-esteem, to only surround yourself with positive people.

Spend time investing in the relationships that build you up and make you feel good.

The benefits of healthy, uplifting relationships include lower rates of anxiety and depression, higher self-esteem, greater empathy and more trusting, cooperative relationships [1].

If you’re struggling to find people who fill your cup, you can always try joining community groups or using mobile apps designed to connect and make friends - such as Bumble BFF!

Not isolating yourself and doing your best to socialise can work wonders for self-esteem.

Many people with incontinence, especially those newly diagnosed, can experience fears of leaving the home and engaging in activities they once did - such as going and grabbing coffee with a friend, or taking a walk in the park.

While these fears are understandable, it’s crucial to remember that you can overcome them and doing so will have a great impact on your self-esteem.

Try to give yourself small challenges when it comes to the things you might be nervous about. For example, if you’re worried about going to a cafe with your friend - try inviting them over for a coffee and sitting out on your front porch. Then perhaps you can try going to a nearby cafe and getting a takeaway coffee to take home. Work your way up to the ‘big’ thing you want to achieve.

You can take baby steps with anything you want to achieve - going to a social occasion, joining an exercise group, and so on. You will overcome the challenges as long as you’re willing to put in the effort!

If you’re struggling with low self-esteem consistently and not noticing any improvement, you should speak to a health professional. This could be your doctor, or a counsellor/psychologist.

They will be able to offer tailored advice and treatment to suit your individual needs. This could be physical treatment for your incontinence and/or mental health-related treatment or suggestions to ensure you’re feeling your best.

There is absolutely nothing wrong or shameful about seeking help.

There are also plenty of mental health resources you can access over the phone:

• Samaritans - call 116 123, available 24/7

• SHOUT - Confidential mental health support 24/7 via text, on 85258.

• MIND - Call 0300 123 3393, available 9am to 6pm.

For emergencies, call 999.

A person with incontinence’s self-esteem can be impacted by factors such as worrying about leaking, or odours escaping, when in public or around other people.

Ensuring they have effective and reliable incontinence aids to manage their symptoms day-to-day can make a significant difference to their self-esteem.

Our range of Dailee products features patented 3-channel absorbency technology which rapidly absorbs liquid to prevent leaks and dry quickly to maintain the wearer’s comfort. They also have up to 12 hours of odour lock control so there’s no concern of any unwanted smells escaping between changes.

We have a product to suit every level of need.

• Pads and guards for light leaks

• Pull-up pants for moderate leaks and some faecal incontinence

• All-in-one slips (adult nappies) for heavy leaks and faecal incontinence

If you’re unsure about which product will best suit your incontinence needs, we’re here to help. Our simple but comprehensive online Help Me Choose quiz can help you make a selection, or contact us 6 days a week to speak to our knowledgeable team of product specialists.