The circles of shame are vicious. Painful feelings of shame help cause people to be depressed and suicidal, these in turn become shameful aspects of the self. Being angry does not necessarily cause more anger, being envious does not necessarily cause more envy (though once we envy, we can also envy someone's lack of envy), but, in our culture at least, shame (and envy and self-pity) are things to be ashamed about. The two common feelings of suicide are hopelessness and powerlessness; each is shameful, and this additional experience of shame adds pain on pain. A man who despairs because he feels his prospects of having a family are hopeless also feels he will never lose the feeling of shame over being wifeless and childless. To be powerless to change one's life in ways that others can is cause to feel ashamed of one's powerlessness. David L. Conroy
About This Quote

Shame is an important part of our culture, but it is often used in ways that cause pain rather than help. Shame can lead to depression and thoughts of suicide. The feeling of shame can control our behavior and cause us to be less confident. The idea that we should not or cannot feel ashamed is something that we hear often in our culture.

Source: Out Of The Nightmare: Recovery From Depression And Suicidal Pain

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