Self-conscious shame
Ashamed
Also known as disgraced
Strength 3 of 4
A heavy, sinking sense that something about you, not only what you did, falls short, bringing a deep wish to hide from others’ eyes and your own.
In the body
- Head bowed and gaze lowered
- A collapsing in the chest
- A heavy, hot face
- A wish to shrink out of sight
Needs behind it
When these needs aren’t met
Softer and stronger
- Exposed
- Ashamed
Often confused with
Embarrassed
Embarrassed centres on a slip others noticed and usually fades once the moment passes; ashamed touches your sense of worth and can linger even when nobody saw.
Guilty
Guilty is about something you did and want to set right; ashamed reaches further, into a sense that something is wrong with who you are.
Inferior
Inferior is about ranking below others by comparison; ashamed is a sense of being flawed in yourself, with or without anyone to compare against.