Self-criticism is the negative evaluation a person makes of themselves in the face of errors, failures, or deficiencies. In adaptive doses it drives learning; when chronic, harsh, and unjustified, it acts as an internal attacker that erodes self-esteem, amplifies depression, and blocks personal growth.
Concept origin
Paul Gilbert (2010) differentiated inadequate self-criticism (shame-based, hostile tone) from healthy self-disappointment (standards-based, understanding tone). His Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) proposes that self-criticism activates the threat system and generates states similar to being attacked by another.
How it manifests
- ▸ Internal speech with derogatory tone after each error ("you're a failure")
- ▸ Difficulty recognizing achievements without minimizing them
- ▸ Intense shame disproportionate to the mistake made
Therapeutic approach
CFT (Gilbert) addresses self-criticism by teaching activation of the soothing/safety system through compassion. CBT identifies cognitive distortions fueling self-criticism (all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing) and builds more realistic and flexible standards.
Related concepts
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