I blame myself for a lot of things even things I never did because i like to keep the peace. I don't like confrontations.

of course

depends...
if i`m in the wrong then i`ll apologise.
if i`ve made an error in judgement and upet someone, i`ll apologise but explain why i did whatever it was that i did.
if its something minor like "it`s your fault i just died on this video game" it`s not worth the bother of disagreeing then i just accept it and let it slide over me (repeat offenders will garner an irritated response ;) )
if it`s important and i don`t believe i`m wrong then no, i`ll fight until i win. Or, If i`m proved wrong, THEN they get an apology and i`ll accept whatever the consequences are. This is especially true at work, if *i* fuck up, i`ll stay until i`ve fixed the problem, but i`m not taking the heat for someone elses mistake.

Therapists have told me I needlessly apologize for all sorts of things because I have low self-esteem.

They noticed the constant apologies. It's not something I volunteered to them.


:(

oh yes i do as well. any time something is blamed on me i just say ok yea my fault.. the reason? it is the easy thing to do . even when its not my fault im tired of trying to proove im right to ppl they only argue about and never change thier mind any way. so what is the pointin that?? when i say yes its my fault ppl do some bragging a little while and than forget all about it or don't mention it any longer..the thing is i wish i really did have that much power i could quit my lousy job. . you could go very far with all that power if this was actually true

I don't know if this is a common characteristic of being depressed, but I am my own worst enemy in that arena. I blame myself for everything, and always think I didn't perform as well as I could/should have.

I've actually gotten way better on this. I used to apologize for everything, even if it was for a fight started by somebody else.

Now I make a point to say that I'm sorry the disagreement occurred, but that I stand by my point/stance/whatever started the disagreement.

Unless I really did screw up, in which case, I do apologize.

I always feel responsible for another person's pain. I usually am somehow responsible. So, in that way I hold myself accountable and suffer from the consequences.

I live with tremendous guilt. It's quite heavy. It's heavy to carry around all of the time, everywhere I go.
But, alas, it is the truth. So, there you go.

I'm very split with this...almost as though I am two individuals within one body. Part of me over-analyzes everything, and lives in constant fear that I've completely effed things up.

The other, more rational part, is more difficult to go along with. But I do thankfully have moments of clarity :P

I have done that all my life - very low self esteem.

Yes, I have but I know how unhealthy it is for myself. Thank you for the post......... reminds me Not to play the blame game.

That would be me, to a tee.
I am always saying I am sorry for things that I don't really even have anything to do with. I am told that it's called "Catholic school guilt". Got any ideas how to break myself of this habit??

I used to and sometimes still do when am feeling low but usually I stand up for myself. I let people walk all over me in earlier in my life. I don't want to do it any more.

Hmm..To Cinnamon Heart.

I know all about Catholic Girl Guilt too. Or "school" as you say.
I would offer the following tip; Notice when other people apologize for something they needn't apologize for. Tell them.

Eventually your brain will hear you as well.

uh, that might be me. but, if i knew i was wrong, i probably wouldn't do it. so, i think it might be me.