Responses to Shame

Shame and Affect Theory (Nathanson)

Welcome to the BOL Forum on Shame and Affect Theory by John Grohol, 2/10/96
- A Family of Emotions and a Family of Psychotherapists by Don Nathanson, 1/2/96
  - Don's Theory of ADD/ADHD and Shame by Jennifer Morley, 4/16/96

Responses to Shame

by Jim Pfrommer, 4/16/96

Jennifer,

I believe this is the perfect place to introduce Dr. Nathanson's Compass of Shame concept. Like a compass with its four poles, Don observed that failing to accept the message triggering shame, people may respond in one or more of four ways to the shame experience.

The Withdrawal pole most closely resembles the basic affect of shame and is the one you mention not always seeing in your ADD children. This is also the pole that many pharmacologists have called "atypical depression"

The Avoidance pole consists of what might appear to be distractions from the shame experience. The avoidance pole is the basis underlying most addictions. The action may appear very driven or compulsive.

The Attack Self pole reactions range from mild deference on through significant self-multilation. Statements like "I'm so stupid" are seen here.

Lastly, the Attack Other pole contains the basis for prejudice and the "put downs" of others. When many people question why the SSRI meds help some anger or temper problems even when no depression is present, it is due to the down-modulation of shame in a person who has a tendency to use attack other.

I hope that this brief outline of the Compass of Shame will allow us to better see the manifestations of activation of the Shame/Humiliation affect in circumstances where the characteristic body slump and downward gaze are not present.

Treatment of ADD by Jennifer Morley, 4/17/96
- hyperactivity as shame by donald klein, 7/1/96
  - Good Question by Gil Levin, 7/1/96
  - Klein's definition of shame? by Don Nathanson, 7/2/96
  - Movement Disorder? by Fiona Geiser, 7/3/96
  - Dr. Klein--Please Study Affect Theory by Vick Kelly, 7/4/96
  - response to aad/adhd and shame by mike fabiani, 10/27/98
    - Primary and secondary sources of shame affect by Don Nathanson, 10/31/98
  - response to add/adhd and shame by mike fabiani, 10/27/98
Bipolar Disease Related to Shame? by Kris Evans, 7/26/96
- Bipolar Affective Illness and Shame by Don Nathanson, 7/26/96
  - Bipolar Illness and Capacity for Intimacy by Vick Kelly, 8/4/96
    - Good Readings on Affect Theory by Jan Halper, Ph.D., 8/27/97
      - Readings on Affect Theory and on Couples Therapy by Don Nathanson, 8/27/97
    - I Want MY LIFE BACK...! by Greg Alexander, 10/6/98
      - Help is on the way! by Don Nathanson, 10/7/98
        
        Here is help! by cthomas555@ameritech.net, 10/8/98
    - Bipolar I Cure Rate? by Anna Kay, 1/10/99
      - Cure? by Don Nathanson, 1/11/99
  - Yes of course shame is integral with BiPolar by Karen, 10/2/97
    - Can you share more with us? by Don Nathanson, 10/3/97
- Thank you for the quick Bipolar reply! by Kris Evans, 7/28/96
  - Affective learning after pharmacotherapy by Don Nathanson, 7/28/96
    - Hypnosis and Mood Disorders by Peter B. Bloom, 8/3/96
    - new script creation what is it? to Nathanson by ginni...fan of Nathanson, 7/11/98
      - Goals and Methods of Therapy by Don Nathanson, 7/19/98
SSRI'S AND DOWNMODULATION OF SHAME by JOHN HASSLER, 4/14/97
- Downregulation of shame affect by Don Nathanson, 4/17/97
  - (No title) by John Hassler, 4/18/97
  - Adaptive value of shame mechanism? by Dori LeCroy, 1/23/98
    - Adaptive value of an affect by Don Nathanson, 1/24/98
      - Guilt vs. shame? by Anna Kay, 1/10/99
ADD shame by R. N. SMITH, 4/23/98
- others like you by christina l. remien, 4/24/98
  - others like you by stacey, 6/1/98
    - Some Make It, Some Don't by Greg Alexander, 10/6/98
Responses to public humiliation by Lia Ades, 12/8/98
- Life as interacting matrices rather than billiard balls by Don Nathanson, 12/13/98
  - Shame links identity and social interaction by Lia Ades, 1/21/99