Guilt.

Guilt is an emotion, a normal emotion experienced in the human condition.

The danger of guilt sprouts when someone uses it to gain control in a relationship. The APA Dictionary highlights that guilt sufferers maintain, “readiness to take action”. Sure, guilt can prompt healthy responses like amends and making a change for the better. But, a person who feels guilt may also be primed to do something harmful or unhealthy. When guilt becomes a manipulative tool it is an abuse of power.

Journal Prompts:

I experience guilt when…

I use guilt when…

For the sake of this series, we will not talk about abuse that has escalated to physical and sexual violence, obvious offenses that need to be taken seriously, here is a resource for more help. In this series rather, we’ll process more subtle patterns that can as well be damaging to relationships.