Guilt is a self-conscious emotion that arises when a person believes they have violated moral or personal standards, harming others or themselves. It can motivate reparative actions or, if excessive, contribute to mental distress.
Key Points:
- Types:
- Situational Guilt: Feeling remorseful about a specific act or omission.
- Chronic Guilt: Ongoing, pervasive sense of guilt not tied to a single incident.
- Survivor Guilt: Guilt experienced by those who survive a tragedy or loss when others did not.
- Impact: Healthy guilt can lead to growth or apologies; excessive or irrational guilt can result in shame, low self-esteem, and depression.
- Management: Therapy aimed at cognitive restructuring (addressing irrational self-blame), learning self-compassion, and practicing making amends when appropriate.
