Self-respect is not the same as self-centeredness, conceit, or entitlement. We can be arrogant or entitled without having true self-respect. People assume that physicians have a healthy amount of self-respect, but this is not the case. To respect yourself, you must know your story and have compassion and kindness toward yourself. Self-respect means you esteem yourself as much as you esteem others, that you value yourself as much as you value others. The journey of emotional healing leads to growth in self-respect, which prompts you to insist on healthier dynamics in all of your relationships. Self-respect means that not only do I treat people well, I teach them to also treat me respectfully. This is how we teach one another how to love.
Physician, Get Healed 