Okay- I found one more article on processing shame. Powerful stuff! Here’s the page’s explanation of what shame is. I think it’s quite evocative : “Shame is a fear-based internal state [of] being, accompanied by beliefs of being unworthy and basically unlovable. Shame is a primary emotion that conjures up brief, intense painful feelings and a fundamental sense of inadequacy. Shame experiences bring forth beliefs of “I am a failure” and “I am bad” which are a threat to the integrity of the self. This perceived deficit of being bad is so humiliating and disgraceful that there is a need to protect and hide the flawed self from others. Fears of being vulnerable, found out, exposed and further humiliated are paramount. Feelings of shame shut people down so that they can distance from the internal painful state of hopelessness.”
Yikes! Fortunately this site also offers some constructive suggestions for dealing with shame.
After reading the description of shame just given, I became curious to
know if shame was
considered to be one of
the
universal
emotions. Apparently there is
some debate
about this.
posted at 23:52 on Sat, 10 Sep, 2005 |
path: /living
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