As a clinical psychologist and a mother of two young teenagers, the Netflix drama Adolescence was a hard watch. The British drama follows the story of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy arrested for the murder of a classmate. Through this narrative the drama poignantly explores the psychological challenges faced by many young people today. One of the central themes in Adolescence is shame. Unlike guilt—which is tied to specific actions (“I did something wrong”)—shame is much more complicated. It’s the painful belief that something is fundamentally wrong (“I am wrong”). And for teenagers, who are already highly sensitive to how they are seen by others, shame can be especially destructive. During adolescence, young people become more self-conscious. Their brains are rapidly developing, especially in areas related to social awareness and emotional regulation. As a result, criticism, rejection, or even small failures can feel overwhelming. These experiences can ea...