Shame is different from guilt because it is about the person rather than the action. A person might feel guilty because they did something they believe was wrong. That is, they did something “bad.” Guilt is connected to behavior.
Shame, on the other hand, is the experience of being “bad” as a person. Instead of focusing on what was done, shame affects how someone sees themselves.
Guilt can sometimes lead to repair, such as apologizing or making a change. Shame is more likely to lead to withdrawal, hiding, or self-criticism.
In people with a history of trauma, shame may develop in response to experiences where they were blamed, criticized, or made to feel responsible for things outside of their control. Over time, this can make shame feel automatic or difficult to question.
This page is part of the Shame in Dissociative Systems section of the CommuniDID site, which explains how shame develops in dissociative systems and how it can affect identity, behavior, and relationships between parts.
Explore more:
Have a question this page didn’t answer? Click “Yes” or “No” below and a comment box will appear where you can leave your question. Comments are reviewed but not made public.