Sgt4succsess SMACIN GRACEFULL TEAM Toxic Shame Even the emotionally illiterate have heard of conditions like OCD, anorexia, and depression. Shame, however, tends to be overlooked. This is unfortunate since it often accompanies, and even causes, such problems. ADVERTISEMENT The Nature of Shame To understand shame it may help to contrast it with guilt. The two are often treated as synonymous, which is a mistake. Guilt is usually more rational and specific. ADVERTISEMENT It makes sense, in other words. A man cheats on his girlfriend, for example, or a child steals money from his sister, and they feel guilty for doing so. ADVERTISEMENT Shame, on the other hand, derives not from what you do but from what you are. The man could confess to his girlfriend, or the child could pay back his sister. In that way, they atone and rid themselves of their guilt. Shame,