The Tribune

By Dr Monique Thompson

In the past few articles we have been exploring the havoc that negative emotions wreak on our bodies. This week, we finally move on from anger and shift our focus to its sequela. Though many may not realise it, chronic anger can lead to other negative, toxic emotions, including guilt or remorse, shame, bitterness, sadness and depression, hatred and hopelessness.

Guilt is the body’s mental/emotional response to a person perceiving that they did something wrong,or did not meet their personal moral standards.

Remorse can be considered as intense guilt with regret. Guilt is an emotion that is often likened to carrying a burden around. For those of us who have experienced it, we can relate to the description that it is an emotion of heaviness.

Research at Princeton has revealed that there is more to this aspect of the emotion than meets the eye. Individuals who feel guilty view themselves as heavier than they actually are, or weighing more. Moreover, these individuals also perceive situations as heavier, more serious, or requiring much more effort to deal with than their counterparts who are not feeling guilty. When feelings of guilt are ignored or left unresolved, as with all toxic emotions, the psychological injury extends beyond the mental and manifests itself in the physical.

The example given above – perceiving situations as requiring more effort – illustrates just one way how guilt can beset persons from taking the steps necessary to improve their situation and even lead individuals down into a state of passivity, or drain the optimism from their eyes to only replace it with a stifling air of futility.

This negative thought pattern also decreases the functioning of the immune system by decreasing immunoglobulin A, a very important antibody, and increasing cortisol which leads to increased inflammation in the body, belly fat and heart problems. Other issues that have been linked to guilt include low self-esteem and bad body posture. In light of the studies done at Princeton, it makes sense that someone’s posture would decline if they perceive themselves as being weighted down or burdened.

As with anger, and all the emotions that we discuss, we have to keep in mind that inherently these emotions are purposeful. Can you imagine the horrors that would occur in this world absent guilt? The manner of evil that abounds today is unspeakable, but I believe without guilt and remorse to keep human actions in check, some horrors would be all too common. That aside, people who do not experience guilt, shame or empathy are considered sociopaths.

Resolving or dealing with guilt is beneficial to one’s health. A lot of the work that has to be done is “self-work” so to speak. There are four main steps we can earnestly strive to take in efforts of absolving our guilt. Recognition/acknowledgement of guilt, acceptance, forgiveness, and making amends (righting the wrongs). In order to heal ourselves, we have to be able to recognize that what we are indeed feeling is guilt, and acknowledge that we are guilty.

This takes us being introspective, and sometimes brutally honest with ourselves. Writing a letter detailing the event, your emotions as you experienced them, the reactions of others and your feelings afterward, can help you confront your honest emotions.

Once we have identified the guilt, we should endeavour to accept those feelings rather than downplaying them or running from them altogether. After acknowledging and accepting the guilt, forgiving yourself is paramount. It is one way to truly release the guilt. A portion of the Lord’s Prayer says, “And forgive our debts as we forgive our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12)

To me, the expectation here is that receiving forgiveness is tied to forgiving. If we ought to forgive others, why shouldn’t we be able to forgive ourselves? It is perfectly OK for you to intentionally change how you feel about the situation. Give yourself that gift.

Finally, taking strides to fix the problem that was created can not only bring about healing within yourself, but it may also do the same for others that may have been affected by the situation. Therefore, if it is an apology, paying back money, or fixing someone’s car, you will find that it is worth doing.

In resolving guilt, these general guidelines have brought relief to many, myself included. However, guilt can take on many forms, and successful resolutions really do depend on the cause of the guilt and the type of guilt that a person experiences.

In closing, I will leave you with this reminder of the beauty and peace we have access to: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:12-16)

• Dr Monique Thompson is the founder of Cornerstone Healing Institute, an integrative family medicine clinic, and can be contacted at 356-0083 with any questions/comments. Visit www.chibahamas.com for more information. This article is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.