Shame is a feeling that occurs daily and is always embarrassing but never harmful. A moderate
feeling of shame can lead to better performance development of autonomy and self-criticism.
Only traumatic and chronic feeling of shame has a devastating effect: violence self-damaging
behaviour addiction or suicide withdrawal or destructive actions in psychotherapeutic therapy
can be the consequences of chronic shame.In the 3rd revised and extended edition Micha Hilgers
depicts the dynamics of shame conflicts in everyday life and during the treatment of psychotic
and somatic disorders. Different types of shame (existential shame falling short of the values
of an ego-ideal and competence shame) are put into a comprehensive theoretical concept.
Furthermore possible verbal interventions in therapeutic settings are introduced. Healthy
feelings of shame are considered and results of neuroscience are integrated into the concept.
Several examples from medicine and psychotherapy illustrate the text and give practical
guidance.In terms of social policy shame is discussed in connection with violence in family
settings migration anti-social behaviour right-wing extremism and the role of shame and
shamelessness in modern media.
