Always Haunted By Guilt And Fear Of Making Mistakes, Beware Of Guilt Complex

The illustration of the guilt complex is a condition that is always haunted by guilt. Recognize the signs, causes, and how to overcome them (Unsplash/Michael Afonso)

YOGYAKARTA – Someone who is a perfectionist, is often haunted by worries about making mistakes. Not only a perfectionist, guilt also often haunts people in general. Sometimes it's okay, as long as it is followed by clarification and accountability for an act that is considered guilty. However, feelings of guilt that are not validated and felt constantly can be a symptom of a guilt complex.

Guilt complex, according to Verywell Mind, Monday, July 25, refers to the persistent belief that someone has done something wrong or will do something wrong. In addition to feelings of guilt and constant worry, the guilt complex also causes feelings of shame and anxiety. Simply put, people with a guilt complex think they've done something wrong, when in fact they haven't.

In some cases, people with guilt complexes may overestimate their own role in a situation. So they believe that their own little mistakes have far more serious repercussions than they actually do. This condition is not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) category, although guilt can be stressful.

Illustration always haunted by guilt (iStockphoto)

Excessive guilt and feelings of self-worth have been linked to a number of mental health conditions such as depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Guilt is described as an emotion that consciously involves negative self-evaluations, feelings of depression, and feelings of failure. Signs of guilt complex, including anxiety, crying, insomnia, muscle tension, very strong emotions about past mistakes, regret, stomachache, and worry.

When experiencing the signs above, a person can feel anxious, depressed, and stressed including difficulty concentrating, loss of interest, fatigue, and withdrawing from social circles. Factors that can cause guilt complexes include anxiety due to negative self-evaluation, childhood experiences, having conflicted with the cultural norms in which they grew up and no longer believing in or supporting these norms, and religious laws that indicate that someone has done something wrong.

In addition to recognizing the signs and causes, it is also important to recognize that guilt is a natural and normal feeling. Sometimes this emotional response is taken to be able to adapt and even motivate. In other conditions, guilt is also experienced when things are out of control. In addition, guilt is also a response to fear or existential problems related to injustice.

To overcome the constant guilt that interferes with calm and success, experts suggest three simple steps. First, reframe the situation and the factors that influence the presence of guilty thoughts. Then, look for ways to shift your focus to negative thoughts. It's better to think positively and be more realistic.

Second, forgive yourself by taking responsibility, making amends, and taking steps to move on. Third, talk to someone or share feelings with those closest to you.

When guilt persists despite trying the methods above, it's important that people with a guilt complex seek professional help, such as a doctor or mental health professional.