Shame & Guilt in DSM-IV

Has anyone done an analysis of the role of shame and guilt in the DSM-IV personality disorders ? A computer search through the whole DSM-IV text shows 7 references to shame and 26 references to guilt. In the "personality disorders" section, there are 2 refs to shame a 1 to guilt: "Such expressions of anger are often followed by SHAME and GUILT and contribute to the feeling they have of being evil." under "Borderline Personality Disorder", and "Sustained feelings of SHAME or humiliation and the attendant self-criticism may be associated with social withdrawal, depressed mood, and Dysthymic or Major Depressive Disorder." under "Narcissistic Personality Disorder".

In particular, two of the older categories, "antisocial" (the "psychopath") and "compulsive" (the "anal character") seem to me to be well characterized as on the one hand shame intolerant/guilt tolerant (antisocial personality) and shame tolerant/guilt intolerant (compulsive personality) on the other. In simplistic terms, for example, the antisocial might react violently if "dissed" (shame intolerant), while he is not bothered by having done something bad to others (guilt tolerant). The compulsive's typical state seems to be one of physical rigidity reminiscent of the mortification of shame (shame tolerant), and is often obsessed with doing the right thing (guilt intolerant).

If someone has considered the personality disorders much in terms of shame/guilt, I would appreciate a reference to their work, either in the BOL forum or to my email address. Thanks in advance.

• Shame in DSM-IV by Sue Deppe, MD, Burlington, VT, 3/6/98