The Root of Shame (Part 2 of 3)

I like to take a holistic approach to not only physical health, but also mental health.

Our body, and our lives are an ecosystem. Everything is connected.

This goes for our mind, body and spirit.

When looking at an issue or problem, it's important to get to the root cause instead of just focusing on the symptom.

So what is shame and where does it come from?

In my column last week, I spoke in detail about what shame is, and how it differs from guilt and embarrassment.

Feelings of shame arise when we look at ourselves critically and judgmentally and then evaluate negatively.

Our negative self-evaluation generally comes from messages we've received from others, about how we are supposed to be think or act.

These messages may come from family, peers, society or the media. The shame generally forms during our developmental years in childhood.

Shame can usually be linked to feeling judged, dismissed or rejected.

We name our shame and its cause, not to cast blame, but to bring it into the light in order to see it clearly and understand it.

It is only through understanding and evaluation that we can create change.

In my column next week, we will talk about how shame manifests and what to do about it.