survival guilt

Survivor's unearned shame

Survival guilt is the psychological burden felt by someone who has lived through a catastrophe, war, or tragedy that killed others.

Survivors may feel they didn't deserve to live when others died, or that they should have done more to save them: He struggled with survival guilt for years after the accident.

Also called survivor's guilt.

Related

haunted · burden · why me · flashback · loss · death · loved ones · aftermath · coping · therapy · mental health · support group · nightmares · blame · anguish · witness · accident · disaster

Categories
Opposites
emotional response to surviving trauma

survival guiltrelief

Easing of distress

gratitude · celebration of life · thankfulness · elation · deliverance

deserving to live

survival guiltself-acceptance

Approval of oneself

self-forgiveness · blamelessness · absolution · innocence · self-compassion

psychological burden vs. freedom

survival guiltinner peace

Mental and emotional tranquility

post-traumatic growth · healing · closure · self-worth · recovery

Family

survival, guilt, survive, survivor, surviving, survived, survivable, survivalist, survivalism

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Rated PG