Shame Test
I often battle with thoughts that I'm not good enough.
I keep my worries and anxieties to myself instead of telling others.
Social gatherings and events are something I frequently try to steer clear of.
Making errors doesn't usually make me feel guilty or regretful.
I'm aware that others tend to view me in a negative light.
Forgetting to assist a friend leaves me feeling ashamed.
When someone praises me, I find it difficult to simply say thank you.
Being out in public easily makes me feel self-conscious and awkward.
There are moments when I believe I'm impossible to love.
I find myself getting defensive more often than not.
Seeing someone else upset rarely triggers any guilt in me.
Hopelessness is a feeling I experience regularly.
It's uncommon for me to feel at ease without some sense of shame creeping in.
I feel like I haven't earned the good things that happen to me.
I keep my secrets hidden, worried that others will form negative opinions if they knew.
My shortcomings and flaws fill me with shame.
When I disappoint someone I care about, shame washes over me.
Failing to live up to what others expect doesn't bother me.
I focus on what I need first, rather than putting others' needs ahead of mine.
Others often tell me that I'm too hard on myself.
20 questions remaining
What You Should Know
- Shame is an emotion that makes you feel bad about yourself and makes you want to give up. It hurts and makes you feel like you can't do anything because you don't trust others.
- People who are very prone to shame are more likely to have mood disorders like depression and anxiety. Shame can lead to negative and repetitive thoughts about oneself.
- Most people have a set of moral rules that they follow, and breaking these rules can make them feel bad about themselves and lower their self-esteem.
- Shame can make you hurt yourself. People who feel ashamed often do things that make them feel worse about themselves, which reinforces their negative self-image.
- Shame and guilt are similar, but they are not the same thing. We feel bad about something we did or didn't do, and we feel bad about who we are.
Make a difference now
- Be aware that being self-aware can help you figure out why you feel defensive and hate yourself.
- Be kind to yourself: use self-compassion. Punishing yourself will only make the shame and the harm that comes with it last longer.
- Talk to a therapist: If you're feeling ashamed, you might want to get professional help to deal with your negative thoughts.
