What Does Self Castigation Mean?

: punishment, reproof, or criticism of oneself … that inner voice—in women's guilt and self-castigation around selfishness today.— Lila MacLellan … beaten down by a steady stream of self-castigations.—

Can you castigate yourself?

Castigation (from the Latin castigatio) or chastisement (via the French châtiment) is the infliction of severe (moral or corporal) punishment. ... Self-castigation is applied by the repentant culprit to himself, for moral and/or religious reasons, notably as penance.

Does the word castigate mean?

: to subject to severe punishment, reproof, or criticism The judge castigated the lawyers for their lack of preparation.