Unresolved Guilt

Guilt is a feeling that individuals typically have after doing something we feel was wrong, whether it was intentional or unintentional. Additionally, individuals may feel guilt for things they had no responsibility over. An example of this is survivor’s guilt, which can affect people who survived tragedies when others died.  

Guilt can be defined as a sense of regret or responsibility for actions that we took. In certain situations, guilt can be productive as it can motivate us to apologize to others or decide to make different choices in the future. However, when guilt is unaddressed or unresolved, it can cause physical symptoms, self-doubt, shame, as well as decreased self-esteem. Therefore, unresolved guilt can have a negative impact on our lives, leading to mental or emotional distress. 

Individuals with unresolved guilt may feel like they need to suffer or punish themselves to make up for the hurt they caused to someone else. This self-punishment can take many forms including negative self-talk, participating in risky behaviours, or engaging in self-harm.