Can guilt cause anxiety?

Guilt is a normal feeling that most people experience from time to time. It can occur due to believing that we have done something “bad” or out of step with our values. Guilt can be a complicated emotion, depending on its actual source. Survivor's guilt can result for some who survive trauma, causing them to feel as though they shouldn’t have survived when others didn’t. People diagnosed with depression often report feeling guilty about lack of motivation or social withdrawal and other effects of their depression.

Generally, guilt arises out of feeling as though, in some way, the way we are feeling or behaving or something we haven’t done is somehow wrong. This feeling doesn’t inherently mean that whatever we are feeling guilty about is really our fault or actually was something “wrong.” It simply means that we are judging it to be so. This makes it important to examine feelings of guilt, ask where they are coming from, and determine with feedback from family, friends, or even a trusted therapist if the thinking contributing to the emotion may be poorly founded.

Anxiety is another normal feeling, which most people experience. Anxiety can feel like nervousness or worry, tension, deep concern about things yet to happen, things that may happen, or even things that have happened. Anxiety can come up in any situation where an outcome is unknown. Anxiety is both a feeling and can also become disordered, requiring treatment and management when it occurs without resolution or as an intense response not warranted by the actual situation.

Depending on the situation, you feel that you’ve done something wrong may lead to worry and stress. If you feel guilty about having an affair, chances are you may also feel very worried about the pain your actions may cause or about your partner finding out. If you feel guilty about landing the job of your dreams while a friend continues to struggle to find a position, you may feel anxious about your friend’s financial situation and how your new position may impact the friendship.

These two emotions can be related. Knowing what you feel you're experiencing can be a valuable skill that can help you determine what actions to take in a given situation. Articulating where guilt is rising from and how it impacts other areas of your life can be very helpful in making important changes, sorting through ongoing problems, and even lessening the intensity of the feeling.

If you’re struggling with guilt or anxiety, talk to a licensed mental health professional to find out ways to identify, sort, and manage your feelings.