It seems that very many things cause a person to feel guilty. An expectant mother can have a miscarriage and feel guilt b/c she wonders if there's something she didn't do right during her pregnancy. A doctor/nurse/EMT may feel some guilt if a patient died in their care. Even a teacher can feel guilty if a student in his/her class got seriously hurt or killed by another student b/c she "missed the warning signs". Why are we often overcome by guilt in situations where, even when the worse happens, there's only so much we can do to help?
2007-04-18 09:01:45 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
It depends on what you choose to do with it.
2007-04-18 09:06:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time guilt is just for fools. If you think about it, many things are out of your control and there's nothing you could have done about. If you are feeling guilty about something you could not have prevented then there's probably something else wrong with you in the first place.
Real guilt would be for making the choice not to do something about it knowing full well what is going to happen. And, that is beneficial because you're a disgusting creature to do such a thing and deserve nothing less.
2007-04-18 09:09:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good people with empathy and compassion seem to take on guilt from those around them because they think there should have been more that they could do for that person or about the situation. Guilt can tear a person to pieces if they don't learn to deal with it and forgive themselves for whatever it is making them feel the guilt. I definitley think guilt can be more damaging than beneficial if it's not handled correctly.
2007-04-18 09:15:57 · answer #3 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've always felt that guilt is a useless emotion.
It doesn't help anything or anyone.
I think it's OK to regret decisions that have been made in the past - but what's done is done, and feeling guilty won't change anything.
The best thing to do is grieve, and then move-on as best as you can. Feeling guilty is living in the past, and by doing that - you'll miss the present moment.
2007-04-18 09:14:31 · answer #4 · answered by Kaybee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be damaging because some people have a self-inflicted guilt that easily follows us after much practice derived from upbringing or a controlling person in our lives that we choose to allow to make us feel that way.
But, guilt in general, on occasions, can be the conscientious part of our being that in my personal belief {only}, is the Spirit of God giving me guidance of what is right and wrong. How can you differentiate if it is self-inflicted or God? I have lived the self-inflicted guilt for many years and had to 'un-practice' it and go to the bible to learn what was me and what was God and what He says on that matter.
Why are we overcome? We are human beings who care and have the ability and heart to have a desire to help others cuz we may have the resources or ability in the instance of 'only so much we can do to help'. Learn from it and also see the desire as a gift from your Creator! In His image.
And yes, it was more damaging for me. It caused me a source of depression until I was able to see clearly. Pray and try to get professional help before it becomes the 'hole' I fell into. It'll save you years of heartache, mental exhaustion and lots of money in the long run! :>o
2007-04-18 09:44:46 · answer #5 · answered by lqqknup2000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've come to the conclusion that guilt is a useless emotion, it changes nothing. Of course we have a conscience and we feel bad when we do the wrong thing, but we need to forgive ourselves and get past it.
2007-04-18 09:09:15 · answer #6 · answered by Maria b 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Guilt is good if it drives a person to do the right thing
2007-04-18 09:21:38 · answer #7 · answered by hobo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋