Are you struggling with toxic shame? Here's what it feels like

From feeling like an outsider to engaging in perfectionism, here's what toxic shame feels like.

Published on Feb 29, 2024 06:00 AM IST 6 Photos
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Shame can feel toxic for emotional and mental health at times. "Toxic shame is characterized by a pervasive sense of unworthiness and self-rejection, often stemming from early experiences of trauma or invalidation. Individuals affected by toxic shame may exhibit behaviors such as excessive self-criticism, perfectionism, and a deep fear of rejection or abandonment. This emotional burden can manifest in various ways, including difficulty forming close relationships, chronic feelings of guilt and inadequacy, and a tendency to self-sabotage," wrote Therapist Maythal Eshaghian.(Unsplash)

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It can be an intense feeling of being flawed and imperfect at all times. This thought can make us doubt ourselves. (Unsplash)

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We always hyperfocus on everything that we do, and we feel that we should not bring out our true selves. (Unsplash)

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Perfectionism can stem from toxic shame. However, this type of perfectionism can be self-destructive and tormenting in nature, (Unsplash)

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We always fear that others will think negatively about us. Hence, we strive for their validation, often pushing our boundaries away. (Unsplash)

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