Understanding Shame and Self-Criticism
Understanding the concept
Shame often involves a global judgment of the self rather than regret about a specific action. Harsh self-criticism may initially feel motivating but can also deepen avoidance and distress.
What this might look like
“I made a mistake” makes room for repair; “I am a failure” can make it harder to learn or reconnect.
A question to reflect on
How would you speak to someone you care about who made the same mistake?
Research & further reading
- National Institute of Mental Health. Psychotherapies: Finding a therapist and understanding treatment.
- Macri & Rogge (2024). Psychological flexibility as a treatment mechanism in ACT: A systematic and meta-analytic review.
These sources offer background reading and do not necessarily substantiate every sentence in this article. This is educational information, not diagnosis or personalized advice. Content should be clinician-reviewed prior to public launch.