Embarrassment

Understanding Embarrassment

Embarrassment is a painful but important emotion. It makes us feel bad about our mistakes so that we don't repeat them, and one of its side effects—blushing—signals to others that we recognize our error and are not cold-hearted or oblivious. Shame, a related emotion, can be felt even when no one knows about a slip-up. Guilt tends to focus on what one has done, rather than who one is.

Unspoken Legacy

By The Book Brigade on January 04, 2018 in The Author Speaks

Addiction affects the whole family, and it often has multi-generational roots that go unrecognized and unaddressed, even by therapists.

A Warning Sign That He May Not Be the Best Lover

By Donna Barstow on December 31, 2017 in Ink Blots Cartoons

He's giving you clues even before the first kiss.

9 Tips for Awkward Silences in Therapy

By Ryan Howes PhD, ABPP on December 29, 2017 in In Therapy

All the good stuff has already been covered (or so it seems). Where should you go from here? What should you talk about in therapy? Awkward.

Revenge vs. Rehabilitation

By Joseph Burgo Ph.D. on December 18, 2017 in Shame

Is the "name and shame" campaign purely about exacting revenge against sexual harassers?

Embracing Masculine Vulnerability: A Q&A with Lewis Howes

By Ellen Hendriksen, Ph.D. on December 15, 2017 in How to Be Yourself

Why men have trouble letting themselves be vulnerable, and why it is so important that they try.

52 Ways to Show I Love You: Receive Graciously

By Roni Beth Tower Ph.D., ABPP on December 10, 2017 in Life, Refracted

Childhood experiences with our caregivers and feelings of guilt, embarrassment, fear, and disappointment can influence the ways in which we receive others' expressions of love.

Accept Your Self-Doubt To Diminish Your Anger

By Bernard Golden, Ph.D. on December 09, 2017 in Overcoming Destructive Anger

How often is your anger a go-to reaction to discomfort with underlying self-doubt? Distinguish between destructive and positive self-doubt to help you curtail anger arousal.

Loneliness Is a Killer. Why Don't We Talk About It?

By Loren A. Olson M.D. on December 08, 2017 in Finally Out

We don't talk about loneliness because of a stigma: It feels like a failure in one of life's fundamental domains. But it is essential for our health that we talk about it.

Kids, Would You Please Lower Your Weapons?

By Jim Stone Ph.D. on December 07, 2017 in Clear, Organized and Motivated

With authoritarians on both the Right and the Left dominating political discourse, it's tough (and sometimes unsafe) for the sensible center to get a word in edgewise.

Jerk-Shaming

By Jeremy E Sherman Ph.D. on December 03, 2017 in Ambigamy

Fear of coming across as a jerk keeps many, but not all men in line.

Why the Embarrassment?

By Rachel Hershenberg Ph.D. on December 03, 2017 in Activating Happiness

Too busy fixating on your "flaws" this holiday season?

18 Key Ingredients of a Happy Life

By John Kim, LMFT on November 30, 2017 in The Angry Therapist

These are some important life questions to think about.

How Do I Ask My Grandma to Stop Being So Techy?

By Amy Howell, Ph.D. on November 29, 2017 in Conscientious Connections

Using social media to connect across generations sounds like a good thing, but how do we respond when our good intentions cause embarrassment to our youth?

Love, Sex, and Romance with Different Abilities

By Elizabeth Young on November 27, 2017 in Adaptations

Hal says, "When you’ve got intimacy, and you add touching, you’ve got really good sex.”

Lorena, labeled for reuse with modification.

What Happens When You Run into Your Therapist on the Street?

By Loren Soeiro, Ph.D. ABPP on November 21, 2017 in I Hear You

Have you ever had the unnerving experience of running into your therapist when you're not at all ready to see him or her? How will it likely play out and why?

Shame as a Barrier to Addiction Treatment

By Sarah A Benton MS, LMHC, LPC on November 17, 2017 in The High-Functioning Alcoholic

The largest barrier to alcoholics getting treatment is shame. This is ironic because getting help and getting sober should be an action that alcoholics feel proud of.

By State Archives of North Carolina [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons.

Nonviolence in the Face of Hatred

By Miki Kashtan Ph.D. on November 16, 2017 in Acquired Spontaneity

The practice of nonviolence begins precisely when our actions, words, or thoughts are not aligning with our commitment. Because our capacity often lags behind our commitment.

Why Don't Victims of Sexual Harassment Come Forward Sooner?

By Beverly Engel L.M.F.T. on November 16, 2017 in The Compassion Chronicles

No wonder victims of sexual harassment keep quiet. It is time we supported them, rather than questioning them.

Will Online Shame Prevent You From a Holiday Romance?

By Sue Scheff on November 10, 2017 in Shame Nation

A new survey reports that over half of Americans will search for information online before dating you.

The Flavors of Everyday Anxiety

By Mary C Lamia Ph.D. on November 08, 2017 in Intense Emotions and Strong Feelings

The blending of fear with other emotions produces the variety of ways in which anxiety is felt.

What Does It Mean to Be a Spiritual Grown Up?

By Nancy Colier LCSW, Rev. on November 08, 2017 in Inviting a Monkey to Tea

When we shame ourselves... how to stop.

Do You Have Adult ADHD and Feel Stuck?

By Scott Shapiro M.D. on November 02, 2017 in The Best Strategies For Managing Adult ADHD

Do you often know exactly the "what" and "how" of what you need to do, but can't execute?

pretty woman in field, Jil111, Pixabay, CC0

Think You’re Not a Virgin? Consider This

By Bella DePaulo Ph.D. on November 02, 2017 in Living Single

People with no romantic relationship experience often feel shame. They shouldn’t. In other times and places, they probably wouldn’t.

7 Ways to Respond When Someone Shames You

By F. Diane Barth L.C.S.W. on October 29, 2017 in Off the Couch

Everyone feels humiliated at some time or another. These 7 steps will help you deal.

The Normalcy of Sexting Among Teens

By Sue Scheff on October 29, 2017 in Shame Nation

Research says peer pressure is linked to growing sexting concerns with teens.

Do Minorities Have Equal Access to All Emotions?

By Marwa Azab Ph.D. on October 26, 2017 in Neuroscience in Everyday Life

Where a person lies in the hierarchy set by society determines which emotions to express and which to suppress.

6 Things an Addict Will Never Tell You

By Amy Dresner on October 25, 2017 in Coming Clean

Want to know what active addicts aren't telling you? Here are 6 things they're probably lying about.

How Workplace Bullying is Impacting LGBT Employees

By Sue Scheff on October 19, 2017 in Shame Nation

Forty-one percent of LGBT workers who have been bullied at work have left a job because they have felt bullied.

What Is the Sexiest Emotion for Women to Display?

By Alec Beall, Ph.D. on October 18, 2017 in Aesthetics 101

Emotion research may provide happy women with yet another reason to smile.

By Rocafort8 (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

The Bully Inside

By Laura Martocci Ph.D. on October 10, 2017 in You Can’t Sit With Us

If we don’t accept our imperfect selves, how much of our tendency to gather "facts," form opinions, and label others brings us to the brink of bullying?

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