Can guilt cause chest pain?

Guilt is a painful human emotion that nearly everyone experiences at some point in life. The feeling of guilt may be terrible, but it isn’t a “bad” emotion. Guilt occurs when our behavior conflicts with our internal moral compass or when we act in a way that we believe was wrong. Cheating on a partner or even taking the last piece of cake can lead to feelings of guilt.

Guilt often has a bad reputation, but it can be a helpful tool we draw on to stay true to our values. It can also correct behavior that we want to change, serving as a powerful cue for future opportunities to make decisions that are reflective of what we believe to be right.

Every emotion has a physiological response in the body, and often, the more intense the emotion, the more intense response is likely to develop. Guilt that causes an intense response may trigger the fight or flight response in the body, which can result in many physical symptoms. The symptoms you may experience when the fight or flight response is triggered by guilt are:

• Rapid heart rate
• Fast breathing or hyperventilation
• A spike in blood pressure
• Chest pain
• Nervousness
• Shaking or dizziness
• Feeling faint or nauseated
• Difficulty concentrating

An intense guilty feeling may trigger the cascade of physical responses of the fight or flight response, one of which is chest pain. If you’re experiencing chest pain, it’s always best to be evaluated by a medical professional, especially if this symptom is new to you as part of your anxiety response. A doctor can rule out underlying physical conditions that may result in pain or sensation in the chest.

If you’re experiencing guilt that is difficult to control, soak up too much of your attention, or feel overwhelming, talk with a licensed mental health professional. Your guilt may be part of a larger issue like depression, or it may simply be an emotion that processing in a safe and confidential setting may help clear up.

If you’re experiencing thoughts of suicide, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-272-8255 for help, or visit your nearest emergency room.