What Everyone Ought To Know
About Shame And Guilt
In a study published in JAMA Psychiatry it was found that an important brain area involved in emotion— the right anterior insula— is smaller in school-aged children diagnosed with depression as preschool-aged children, and can predict risk of future struggles with depression.
http://yourmedicalguide.info/new-studies-show-anxiety-depression-guilt-harm-the-brain
Innocently, we define shame guilt through our experiences, the opinions of others, and our culture. Our behavioral choices concerning them stem from our definitions. The majority of cultures identify unworthiness and wrongdoings with the words shame guilt. We perceive guilt as I did something bad and the need to repent. In contrast, we perceive the word shame as I am bad. Throughout the ages, we have amassed many definitions for the origin and meaning of shame guilt, which abound with biblical, mythological, and spiritual overtones. Eastern and Western cultures, as well as their subcultures, proclaim opposing definitions. They can be considered good, bad, healthy, or toxic. No surprise that we reinforce its cycle of abuse.
