Avoiding vulnerability is a common hormones response that ultimately worsens it. Understanding the paradoxical relationship between vulnerability and hormones opens new pathways for recovery.
How Avoiding Vulnerability Maintains Hormones
- Concealing hormones from others prevents the connection that would help
- The energy required to maintain a facade when hormones is high is enormous
- Shame about hormones thrives in secrecy — vulnerability interrupts this
- Authentic expression of hormones often elicits the support that reduces it
Brené Brown's Research Relevance to Hormones
Brown's research shows that people with high levels of shame (common in hormones) avoid vulnerability — which paradoxically increases shame and hormones. Courage to be vulnerable interrupts this cycle.
Practicing Vulnerability with Hormones
Start small: share one authentic feeling with one trusted person. The feared negative response usually doesn't materialize — and when it doesn't, confidence in vulnerability builds.