Unlearning Shame

FROM THE AUTHOR OF UNMASKING AUTISM 'This book articulates a feeling that has lurked in the dark corners of so many minds and brings it into the light where it can be faced, embraced, understood, and ultimately, healed. .' -Celeste Headlee, journalist and bestselling author How many times a day do you feel shame? Struggling to pay the bills; buying a top made in a sweatshop; reading the news and feeling - yet again - a powerlessness to the point of apathy? In this bold and transformative manifesto, social psychologist and author of Unmasking Autism Dr Devon Price takes an in-depth look at shame and the role it plays in our lives. Price identifies something called 'Systemic Shame': the powerful self-message that says I am to blame for my circumstances. He explores how it traps us into fighting unwinnable battles and judging others for their failures, and how it especially affects those who are already vulnerable because they're carrying shame from a difficult past or a complicated sense of self-esteem. By unpacking the concept of 'Systemic Shame', this radically positive book shows that there is no such thing as becoming 'good enough' to be deserving of love; we must claim acceptance for ourselves. Blending the latest social psychology, personal insights and empowering practical exercises, Unlearning Shame is a transformative guide to overcoming self-blame, unlocking self-worth and taking control of your future.

Devon Price, PhD, is a social psychologist, professor, author, and proud Autistic person. His research has appeared in journals such as the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, and the Journal of Positive Psychology. Devon's writing has appeared in outlets such as the Financial Times, HuffPost, The Los Angeles Times, Slate, Jacobin, Business Insider, LitHub, and on PBS, NPR, MSNBC, and the BBC. He lives in Chicago, where he serves as Clinical Associate Professor at Loyola University Chicago's School of Continuing and Professional Studies.