What is the difference between Guilt and Shame?

Guilt and shame are two words that are usually considered by many to be the same. This might be due to the fact that both are used to describe a kind feeling you have after you have done something wrong. However, there are differences between the two. Human beings tend to feel guilty after they have done something wrong, especially something which later had a negative impact on someone else.

Most times, when people feel guilty of their wrongdoings, they tend to look for ways to mend their ways by seeking peace with the offended. On the other hand, shame usually comes with a very bad emotion, especially one that causes you to want to hate yourself completely.

This may end up having a serious effect on someone's self-esteem. At times, when you feel shame due to some actions of yours, you might not really see any need to retrace your steps; especially, you are getting humiliated due to your past actions.

A lot of people assume that shame and guilt are the same but actually, there are some differences that are involved. When you feel shame, this means that you are feeling some bad feelings about something that you have done or something that you were forced to admit. The feeling will be focused on yourself and what you are generally feeling. When you say guilt, this means that your feelings are mixed with sympathy because of something that you have done.

This means that you might feel some regret because of something that you did or were forced to do. When you feel shame, you are only thinking about how the situation has made you feel and not what others may feel.