When we feel guilty, we become self-critical, we hold ourselves responsible for doing something wrong, and we take the blame, even when we do not deserve it in the opinion of others or by any recognizable ethical standard. In guilt, the painful emotions seem to come from inside ourselves. We feel like our own worst enemy. As our anger builds up in a conflict, guilt makes us feel inhibited about expressing criticism or anger against anyone but ourselves. We turn our willfulness and aggression inward. If we imagine, instead, standing up for ourselves, we foresee being overwhelmed by even more guilt.
When we feel ashamed, we feel put upon, embarrassed, or belittled by others,or we feel lesser when we compare ourselves to others. In shame, the painful emotions seem to emanate from outside us. Shameful feelings seem inflicted upon us by other people or circumstances that make us feel worthless and powerless.
Culled from Guilt, Anxiety and Shame by Peter R. Breggin
Abdulkareem,Taoheedah Kehinde
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