Humans have evolved to experience the emotion of shame as a warning signal. Shame is a warning that others may perceive him/her negatively and therefore at increased risk of ejection, exclusion, being passed by, harmed or even persecuted. Shame is experienced as a social threat Our brain based threat system activates the automatic response to fight, flight or freeze. All of us have memories of feeling shamed. People who can recall feeling loved and cared for as a child tend to experience less depression as adults, despite the presence of shame memories. Compassion Focused Therapy targets shame by helping individuals shift from a treat based response to activation of the affiliation system including a sense of soothing and safeness.
