Some people who claim to have a positive self-image do indeed have one. But others are expressing something known as fragile high self-esteem — their seemingly positive view of themselves depends on continuous external validation, a self-view that’s based less in reality than it is on wishful thinking. They are intolerant of people and feedback that might challenge their brittle high opinion of themselves. While they may appear confident in some ways, people with fragile high self-esteem quickly become defensive and dismissive of situations and people they perceive as threatening.21
