Shame and guilt are two distinct emotions that are often confused with each other. The main difference between shame and guilt is their focus: shame is focused on the self, while guilt is focused on the behavior.
Shame is an intense feeling of discomfort, humiliation, or self-disgust that arises from the belief that one has failed to live up to their own or others’ expectations or standards. It is a deeply personal emotion that often leads to feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy. Shame is often accompanied by a desire to hide, withdraw, or avoid the situation that caused it.
Guilt, on the other hand, is a feeling of remorse or regret that arises from the belief that one has done something wrong or hurtful to others. Unlike shame, guilt is focused on the behavior rather than the self. Guilt often leads to feelings of responsibility and a desire to make amends for the harm caused.
In summary, the main difference between shame and guilt is that shame is focused on the self and leads to feelings of inadequacy, while guilt is focused on the behavior and leads to feelings of responsibility and a desire to make amends.
Diaspora Therapies 