Shame or emotions of inferiority (Toxic one, not normal inferiority emotions)? I know it's a question of chicken or egg, but it's interesting to know. Recently I became convinced that Shame is at the root of most of neuroses and so is inferiority complex. Shame and inferiority emotions are extremely linked together as they can be a product to each other. Many mental health professionals say a person develops inferiority complex because he/she is shame-based. On the other hand, many other mental health professonals say a person becomes shame-based because he/she already has the toxic emotions of inferiority. They can be very same, but very different. What do you all think?