guilt complex
Persistent self-blame pattern
A guilt complex is a persistent, often excessive sense of guilt that colors one's thoughts and behavior.
The term borrows from psychoanalytic language but is used loosely: She has a guilt complex about not visiting her mother more often.
Someone with a guilt complex may feel responsible for things beyond their control or apologize compulsively.
The guilt may be disproportionate to any actual wrongdoing.
- self-reproachBlaming oneself for wrongdoing
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- shamePainful awareness of failure
- scrupulosityExcessive moral anxiety disorder
beating yourself up · self-loathing · psychology · neurosis · expiation · self-punishment · self-flagellation · inner critic · superego · regret · self-sabotage · self-destructive behavior · conscience · Freud · penitence · self-blame · cognitive dissonance · atonement
- complexes
- groupingsgroups, categories, classes, divisions, clusters
guilt complexself-acceptance
Approval of oneself
self-forgiveness · self-compassion · clear conscience · peace of mind · inner peace
guilt complexshamelessness
Absence of moral embarrassment
guiltlessness · remorselessness · narcissism · sociopathy · psychopathy
guilt complexemotional balance
Psychological equilibrium maintained
self-forgiveness · mental wellness · psychological well-being · self-compassion · emotional resilience
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