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  • Cited by 6
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    Crossref Citations
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    This article has been cited by the following publications. This list is generated based on data provided by CrossRef.
    Newman, Andrew Burbach, Frank and Reibstein, Janet 2013. How Therapists Discuss Causality with Families in an Integrated Family Management and Therapy Service, a Qualitative Study with Focus Groups. Contemporary Family Therapy, Vol. 35, Issue. 3, p. 437.
    Rahim, Masuma and Patton, Robert 2015. The association between shame and substance use in young people: a systematic review. PeerJ, Vol. 3, Issue. , p. e737.
    Pitman, Alexandra L. Osborn, David P.J. Rantell, Khadija and King, Michael B. 2016. The stigma perceived by people bereaved by suicide and other sudden deaths: A cross-sectional UK study of 3432 bereaved adults. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Vol. 87, Issue. , p. 22.
    Ware, Jayson Blagden, Nicholas and Harper, Craig 2018. Are Categorical Deniers Different? Understanding Demographic, Personality, and Psychological Differences between Denying and Admitting Individuals with Sexual Convictions. Deviant Behavior, p. 1.
    Yakeley, Jessica 2018. Shame, culture and mental health. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, p. 1.
    Werneke, Ursula 2018. Conference proceedings of the 4th Masterclass Psychiatry: Transcultural Psychiatry – Diagnostics and Treatment, Luleå, Sweden, 22–23 February 2018 (Region Norrbotten in collaboration with the Maudsley Hospital and Tavistock Clinic London). Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, p. 1.
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Working with guilt and shame

  • Andrew Clark

Summary

This article describes the psychological experiences of guilt and shame. Although these affects have an important role in holding our communities together, they can also become extremely distressing and debilitating for individuals. As such, they are transdiagnostic problems which are frequently encountered in mental healthcare. The origin of these affects is considered from religious, cultural and psychological perspectives. The article then explores the clinical manifestations of guilt and shame. Finally, consideration is given to therapeutic options, including general approaches as well as specific psychological therapies.

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Copyright

COPYRIGHT: © The Royal College of Psychiatrists 2012 

Corresponding author

Andrew Clark, Psychotherapy Service, Cedar House, Blackberry Hill Hospital, Manor Road, Fishponds, Bristol BS16 2EW, UK. Email: andrew.clark@awp.nhs.uk

Footnotes

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Declaration of Interest

None.

Footnotes

References

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Bateman, A, Fonagy, P (2004) Psychotherapy for Borderline Personality Disorder. Oxford University Press.
Cordess, C, Davidson, K, Morris, M et al (2005) ‘Cluster B’ antisocial disorders. In Oxford Textbook of Psychotherapy (eds Gabbard, GO, Beck, J, Holmes, J) 269–78. Oxford University Press.
Erikson, E (1950) Childhood and Society. Norton.
Freud, S (1916) Some character-types met with in psychoanalytic work: Chapter III Criminals from a sense of guilt. Reprinted (in 1953–1974) in Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, vol 14 (trans & ed Strachey, J) 332–3. Hogarth Press.
Freud, S (1923) The ego and the id. Reprinted (in 1953–1974) in Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, vol 19 (trans & ed Strachey, J) 3–66. Hogarth Press.
Gilbert, P (ed) (2005) Compassion and cruelty: a biopsychosocial approach. In Compassion: Conceptualisations, Research and Use in Psychotherapy: 9–74. Routledge.
Gilbert, P (2009) Introducing compassion-focused therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 15: 199–208.
Gilligan, J (2000) Violence. Reflections on our Deadliest Epidemic. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Hayes, S, Strosahl, K, Wilson, K (1999) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Experiential Approach to Behaviour Change. Guilford Press.
Jacoby, M (1994) Shame and the Origins of Self-esteem. Routledge.
Klein, M (1935) A contribution to the psychogenesis of manic-depressive states. In The Writings of Melanie Klein (vol 1): 262–89. Hogarth Press.
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BJPsych Advances
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  • Cited by 6
  • Cited by
    Crossref Citations
    Crossref logo
    This article has been cited by the following publications. This list is generated based on data provided by CrossRef.
    Newman, Andrew Burbach, Frank and Reibstein, Janet 2013. How Therapists Discuss Causality with Families in an Integrated Family Management and Therapy Service, a Qualitative Study with Focus Groups. Contemporary Family Therapy, Vol. 35, Issue. 3, p. 437.
    Rahim, Masuma and Patton, Robert 2015. The association between shame and substance use in young people: a systematic review. PeerJ, Vol. 3, Issue. , p. e737.
    Pitman, Alexandra L. Osborn, David P.J. Rantell, Khadija and King, Michael B. 2016. The stigma perceived by people bereaved by suicide and other sudden deaths: A cross-sectional UK study of 3432 bereaved adults. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Vol. 87, Issue. , p. 22.
    Ware, Jayson Blagden, Nicholas and Harper, Craig 2018. Are Categorical Deniers Different? Understanding Demographic, Personality, and Psychological Differences between Denying and Admitting Individuals with Sexual Convictions. Deviant Behavior, p. 1.
    Yakeley, Jessica 2018. Shame, culture and mental health. Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, p. 1.
    Werneke, Ursula 2018. Conference proceedings of the 4th Masterclass Psychiatry: Transcultural Psychiatry – Diagnostics and Treatment, Luleå, Sweden, 22–23 February 2018 (Region Norrbotten in collaboration with the Maudsley Hospital and Tavistock Clinic London). Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, p. 1.
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Working with guilt and shame

  • Andrew Clark
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