Yes, we're often harsh towards ourselves, and also we're often less compassionate than we could be towards others. there's loads of stuff by Paul Gilbert (University of Derby) on compassion. He's written a book entitled The Compassionate Mind (2010), and you may find this website interesting: http://www.compassionatemind.co.uk/. He uses an evolutionary approach, suggesting that "it's not your fault [i.e. that you were born with these genes, or into this family or set of circumstances], but it is your problem".

To give a very brief summary, Gilbert proposes a '3 systems' model: we have a 'drive' system which is involved with excitement, working towards goals; we also have a 'threat' system which is involved with fear, shame and a felt need to defend ourselves; the third system is a 'soothing' system (linked with the parasympathetic nervous system). Ideally, the three systems would be in balance, but there are some people who, usually as a result of their upbringing, find it much harder to access their soothing system. Compassion-focused therapy aims to help people develop this system further, so individuals are more able to be compassionate. Some of my clients have found this is the first therapy they've encountered which tackles things such as shame and guilt, and have found it hugely helpful.

There's also a good book by Russell Kolts, who developed CFT for work in prisons. The book is called The Compassionate Mind Guide to Managing Your Anger (2012). He also has a website here: http://www.compassionatemind.net/ I've only just started reading this so can't give you much information, but it appears to follow the same principles and ideas as Paul Gilbert's book.

Yes, we're often harsh towards ourselves, and also we're often less compassionate than we could be towards others. there's loads of stuff by Paul Gilbert (University of Derby) on compassion. He's written a book entitled The Compassionate Mind (2010), and you may find this website interesting: http://www.compassionatemind.co.uk/. He uses an evolutionary approach, suggesting that "it's not your fault [i.e. that you were born with these genes, or into this family or set of circumstances], but it is your problem".

To give a very brief summary, Gilbert proposes a '3 systems' model: we have a 'drive' system which is involved with excitement, working towards goals; we also have a 'threat' system which is involved with fear, shame and a felt need to defend ourselves; the third system is a 'soothing' system (linked with the parasympathetic nervous system). Ideally, the three systems would be in balance, but there are some people who, usually as a result of their upbringing, find it much harder to access their soothing system. Compassion-focused therapy aims to help people develop this system further, so individuals are more able to be compassionate. Some of my clients have found this is the first therapy they've encountered which tackles things such as shame and guilt, and have found it hugely helpful.

There's also a good book by Russell Kolts, who developed CFT for work in prisons. The book is called The Compassionate Mind Guide to Managing Your Anger (2012). He also has a website here: http://www.compassionatemind.net/ I've only just started reading this so can't give you much information, but it appears to follow the same principles and ideas as Paul Gilbert's book.

Self-compassion, as measured by the Self Compassion Scale, has been shown to be a predictor of mental health. In the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, compassion for self and others is cultivated through a practice called Loving Kindness meditation. This meditation is not singular to MBSR - it has ancient roots, and compassion meditations are largely practiced, e.g. Tibetan Monks. You can download a meditation like this for free from http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22 . An interesting paper by Van Dam, Sheppard, Forsyth, and Earlywine (2010) showed that compassion had better predictive value for mental health than mindfulness.

In humility and gracefullness I thank you both. May your God(s) smile favourably on you.

Gura mhaith agut. (Thank You very much)

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These two might be useful: Berry, K.-A., Kowalski, K., Ferguson, L., & McHugh, T.-L. (2010). An empirical phenomenology of young adult women exercisers’ body self- compassion. Qualitative Research in Sport and Exercise, 2, 293–312. doi:10.1080/19398441.2010.517035

Smith, B. (2013). Disability, sport, and men’s narratives of health: A qualitative study. Health Psychology, 32(1), 110-119.

Thank You.Brett

If you are interested in self-compassion in older adults, you may be interested in a recent publication by myself and Wendy Phillips in the Journal of Gerontology,Psychological Sciences.

Thank You Sue

Hi there,

I hope im not too late - im researching this for my thesis. As well as Gilberts Model - Kristen Neff in the USA (and also author of the Self-Compassion Scale) has also researched this area. Her website = www.selfcompassion.org also has an area devoted to recent research and as Gilbert and Neffs models both look at self-compassion slightly differently - I would recommend you catch up with both!

You can also find some good review papers on there!

Claire