Abstract
Shame is a common experience for individuals living with chronic diseases related to lifestyle, such as obesity and diabetes. It is often characterized by feelings of stigma and worthlessness, leading many patients to feel judged and unworthy of respect, which can profoundly affect health outcomes and overall quality of life. Despite the severe consequences of shame, therapeutic approaches to address it remain underexplored. This paper highlights the role of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Compassion Focused Therapy as effective strategies to mitigate shame, cultivate self-compassion, and, therefore, enhance health outcomes for individuals with chronic lifestyle-related conditions. These therapies have demonstrated positive effects on treatment adherence and self-management among patients with chronic diseases. Therefore, healthcare providers can improve patients’ overall well-being by adopting strategies from these therapies, such as using compassionate language that emphasizes empathy, non-judgmental support, and validation, all of which help reduce shame and stigma.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.