The Virtue of Depression in the Secret Life of Shame: A Group-Analytic Perspective

Abstract

This article examines the role that shame plays in inducing and maintaining depression; the author proposes that chronic depressed states serve a function of neutralizing the painful awareness of shame. The similarities and differences between shame and guilt are discussed. It is suggested that concealed shame produces a debilitated state of mind in which feelings of rage and revenge are kept in check and blanketed by self-directed anger – depression. In this view depression has both a protective function and is a form of communication. Vignettes from an analytic therapy group illustrate how these themes can be worked with such that group members are enabled to move towards developing a clearer sense of self.

Keywords

depression shame guilt self social

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