Shame is an unspoken epidemic, the secret behind many forms of broken behavior

I had this scheduled to go up at midnight, but it’s already going viral so I’m posting it now. Brené Brown’s first video on vulnerability got over 4 million hits a couple of years ago. I shared it here on Beyond Meds at the time. (and again below)

This is Brown’s latest Ted talk that takes on another important subject, Shame.

Shame is an unspoken epidemic, the secret behind many forms of broken behavior. Brené Brown, whose earlier talk on vulnerability became a viral hit, explores what can happen when people confront their shame head-on. Her own humor, humanity and vulnerability shine through every word.

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I posted the first video she talks about on Beyond Meds a while ago. Here is that post copied and pasted below:

“We numb vulnerability…we are the most in debt, obese, addicted and medicated adult cohort in US history.”

Brené Brown is funny and real in this moving piece where she shares her personal discoveries through research.

She astutely observes:

Can’t selectively numb emotion. Can’t numb hard feelings without numbing joy, gratitude, happiness etc…

This is true regardless of the method used. I talk more about the dangers of numbing feelings with psychotropic drugs here: The numbing of our emotions part 2

From the description at Ted Talks youtube:

Dr. Brené Brown is a researcher professor at the University of Houston, Graduate College of Social Work, where she has spent the past ten years studying a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness, posing the questions: How do we engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to embrace our imperfections and to recognize that we are enough — that we are worthy of love, belonging and joy? Brené is the author of I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power (2007) and the forthcoming books, I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power (2010) and Wholehearted: Spiritual Adventures in Falling Apart, Growing Up, and Finding Joy ( 2011).

Books by Brené Brown:

● The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

● I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power