4.15 | Toxic Shame - What Is It and What Can We Do About It?

[justine1984]

I have a question, is this type of shame in any way related to the physical shame? With being extremely pudic? I dread medical visits cause I am scared I might have to take my clothes off, and that mortifies me.

[blackandwhite]

I have a question, is this type of shame in any way related to the physical shame? With being extremely pudic? I dread medical visits cause I am scared I might have to take my clothes off, and that mortifies me.

It certainly can be. I'm sorry you experience that. Must make taking care of your health very uncomfortable. 

If you feel up to it, and slowly so you don't get overwhelmed, you might examine the reactions and feelings you have in those moments (not DURING those moments, but in reflection). Can you connect them to anything in your experience? You might find there are things in the past that get triggered in those situations.

[stonehead]

Underneath "I can sacrifice myself" (my needs, my time, my comfort, my interests, my growth, my money, my support, my life) is "I don't matter, I am worthless." That's toxic shame.

Undoing this shame has been the most profound personal project of my life.

B&W

I agree that, it is toxic shame, if I sacrifice myself for someone because I feel "I don't matter or I am worthless."

But I am willing to sacrifice all of myself for someone I truely love and care about, such

[Free One]

You can watch John Bradshaw's "Healing the Shame that Binds You" and "Heal your inner child" on YouTube. Amazing stuff. Just search by those titles.