Toxic Shame: What It Is and How to Overcome It
Jenna Richardson
The term “toxic shame” was first coined in the 1960’s by American psychologist, Silvan Tomkins, to describe a chronic sense of worthlessness resulting from being repeatedly humiliated, shamed, and rejected. Difference between normal shame and toxic shame. Shame is a normal emotion that most people experience at one time or another in response to embarrassment over something they did that was foolish or wrong, or being humiliated in front of others. It may feel uncomfortable, even painful for a while, but it is only a temporary feeling that eventually goes away. Toxic shame, on the other hand, does not come and go. It is shame that you have internalized and...
continue reading »