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Why Shame and Guilt Are Functional for Mental Health

By Joaquin Selva — 2020

At the end of the day, guilt and shame are crucial social emotions, as they keep people from acting in pure self-interest. It is important to recognize and attempt to repair the damage that has led to guilt and shame, but it is also important to forgive oneself when a genuine attempt has been made to repair that damage.

Read on positivepsychology.com

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Shame is at the intersection of individual psychology healing and social change. Clinically, when we follow the path of our shame, we experience the greatest healing, and culturally, when we move past the power of shame we can act together to improve civil rights for all.

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The 3 Reasons People Feel Guilty | Oprah's Life Class | Oprah Winfrey Network

Spiritual teacher Iyanla Vanzant says many people confuse guilt (a feeling that you've done something wrong) with shame (a sense that there's something wrong with who you are). Find out why Iyanla says both sentiments are wasted emotions.

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Overcoming Shame and Growing Self Compassion - Book Club for Babes the Gifts of Imperfection

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Shame is one of the most destructive of human emotions. If you suffered childhood physical or sexual abuse, you may experience such intense feelings of shame that it almost seems to define you as a person. In order to begin healing, it’s important for you to know that it wasn’t your fault.

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Brené Brown: Focus on Guilt Instead of Shame

The bestselling author explains the difference between the two and why the distinction is crucial.

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Filled with secrets from a therapist’s toolkit, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before teaches you how to fortify and maintain your mental health, even in the most trying of times.

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This much-needed book outlines clear and effective strategies to help you cope with the tension, anxiety, trauma and violence of modern living.

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Do All People with Mental Illnesses Think the Same? | Spectrum

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Saving Normal: An Insider’s Revolt against Out-of-Control Psychiatric Diagnosis, DSM-5, Big Pharma, and the Medicalization of Ordinary Life

Anyone living a full, rich life experiences ups and downs, stresses, disappointments, sorrows, and setbacks. Today, however, millions of people who are really no more than “worried well” are being diagnosed as having a mental disorder and receiving unnecessary treatment.

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Allen Frances
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