#1 CAUSES OF FAILURE / 3 CAUSES OF NEUROLOGICAL INTERRUPTION Part 3 of 3

#1 CAUSES OF FAILURE / 3 CAUSES OF NEUROLOGICAL INTERRUPTION Part 3 of 3

Each moment of anger directed in this manner can provide a powerful distraction from experiencing shame or the feelings that may accompany it. Shame, like GUILD AND EMBARRASSMENT involves negatively judging ourselves when we believe we’ve failed to live up to either our own standards or the standards of other people. 

As a self-conscious emotion, shame informs us of an internal state of inadequacy, unworthiness, dishonor, regret, or disconnection. Shame is a clear signal that our positive feelings have been interrupted. Another person or a circumstance can trigger shame in us, but so can a failure to meet our own ideals or standards. Given that shame can lead us to feel as though our whole self is flawed, bad, or subject to exclusion, it motivates us to hide or to do something to save face. So it is no wonder that shame avoidance can lead to withdrawal or to addictions that attempt to mask its impact.

Shame is often confused with guilt--an emotion we might experience as a result of a wrongdoing about which we might feel remorseful and wish to make amends.