Shame is a painful emotion rooted in the belief that one needs to cover oneself up because they believe themselves to be fundamentally flawed. Unlike guilt which is feeling bad about something that one has done shame is about feeling bad about who one is. Shame is believing that one is ultimately inadequate, unworthy, and unlovable.
Treating Shame
The first step in working through shame is coming to the awareness that shame is present. However, being intellectually aware of shame is not enough to move past shame.