The Cure for Chronic Pain with Nicole Sachs, LCSW S4 E24 - Is Your Shame Serving You?
Jun 20, 2025
Delve into the complex role of shame in shaping our identities. Explore childhood memories that highlight the lingering effects of past trauma. Discover how societal expectations fuel cycles of negative self-perception. Learn about the healing power of self-compassion and community support. Uncover practical strategies to release unhelpful shame, comparing it to clearing out stale items from your fridge. This insightful discussion encourages listeners to redefine their narratives and embrace a healthier, more fulfilling self.
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Childhood Shame-Inducing Incident
- A young girl at 11 panicked during a community pool trespass and threw her sister down to escape herself.
- This triggered a lifelong self-definition of being bad and selfish despite her love for her sister.
Childhood Fight or Flight and Shame
- Shame often originates from moments beyond our control during childhood fight or flight responses.
- Defining ourselves by these moments harms us and perpetuates pain unnecessarily.
Challenge Shameful Self-Definitions
- Challenge the shameful self-definitions formed from early experiences using intention and self-compassion.
- Awareness and intention can help rewrite these unhelpful, automatic beliefs about ourselves.
