Shame, Motivation, Medicine and Me

Using an autobiographical approach, this chapter examines the role that the emotion of shame, and defences against acute shame experiences, played in shaping the author’s high-achievement mentality, career and life choices. It explores the role of shame as a base emotion critical for social bonding, considers how shame modifies our attitudes and behaviours, and shows its relevance to professional identity development. It emphasises the role self-compassion (mindfulness, self-kindness and common humanity) plays in reducing shame sensitivity and lowering shame defences. It describes how recognition, reconciliation and reparation began and describes the author’s journey beyond the boundaries of existing shame defences into a more integrated sense of self. Drawing from the specifics of personal experience, the author offers hypotheses on how shame might be relevant more generally and suggests that shame awareness offers an alternative lens through which to consider the interpersonal and organisational dynamics within, and beyond, the veterinary context.