Unlike guilt (feeling you did something bad), shame is the pervasive belief that you are bad, distasteful, or unlovable.
In the context of , specifically relating to those from dysfunctional or alcoholic homes, shame is often described as the "hidden demon" that organises an individual's life around the fear of being found fundamentally flawed. The Role of Shame in the Adult Child Syndrome – AZMATH
Adults living with this syndrome often exhibit a "web of self-defeating behaviours" rooted in this early programming: Unlike guilt (feeling you did something bad), shame
By taking on the shame, the child maintains the illusion that the parent is competent, which is a necessary psychological survival tactic to feel "safe" in a dangerous home. 2. Characteristics of Shame-Based Adult Child Syndrome or unlovable. In the context of