Shame is a deep and painful emotional experience about yourself, and not about your behavior. Shame is a core emotion that drives pathological behavior and defense mechanisms, and is a vital piece to address in treatment. When we address shame in treatment, we break down shame and step outside of it, we peak at it, explore it, and begin to redefine our values. In this presentation, Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt will take learners on a journey through the understanding of shame, its origins and how it develops, how it is understood and how it is expressed, and how it can be addressed in treatment in order to promote healing. We will define shame and various types and presentations of shame, and discuss how shame is differentiated from other emotions. We will explore how shame and other emotions evolved, as well as various theories related to shame, and the connection between shame and morality. We will delve into how shame uniquely impacts and presents with those with eating disorders and body image and trauma. We will further explore the connection between altruism and shame and how people with an altruistic temperament are more prone to shame.
