Bitterness or Resentment an emotion of anger felt as a result of a real or imagined wrong done. Etymologically from "ressentir", French re-, intensive prefix, and sentir "to feel"; from the latin "sentire". The English word has become synonymous with anger and bitterness.
Often resentment will manifest itself in the following ways.[1]
-The harboring of animosity against a person or group of people whom the person feels has mistreated them.
-Unresolved anger over a negative event which occurred in the past.
-Seething, aching emotional turmoil felt whenever a certain person or event is discussed.
-The lack of forgiving, the inability to let go and forget.
-A root of distrust and suspicion have when dealing with people or events that brought pain in the past.
-Unresolved grief experienced when finding it difficult to accept a loss.
-A grudge held against a person or group of people whom the person feels has kept them from achieving anything.
It can be an emotionally disturbing experience that is being felt again or relived in the mind. When the person feeling resentment is directing the emotion at himself it appears as remorse.
(See Kierkegaard and Nietzsche; also 12-step discussion of Resentment)
See also[]
- Alienation
- Anger
- Emotional states
- Forgiveness
- Mercy
- Pardon (a concept in law)
- Pain
- Punishment
- Remorse
- Ressentiment
- Revenge
References[]
1. James J. Messina, Ph.D., Constance M. Messina, Ph.D.. "Handling Resentment." (1999) 2 2 2008 <http://www.coping.org/anger/resent.htm>.
Emotional states (list) |
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Affection ยท Ambivalence ยท Anger ยท Angst ยท Annoyance ยท Anticipation ยท Anxiety ยท Apathy ยท Awe ยท Boredom ยท Calmness ยท Compassion ยท Confusion ยท Contempt ยท Contentment ยท Curiosity ยท Depression ยท Desire ยท Disappointment ยท Disgust ยท Doubt ยท Ecstasy ยท Embarrassment ยท Empathy ยท Emptiness ยท Enthusiasm ยท Envy ยท Epiphany ยท Euphoria ยท Fanaticism ยท Fear ยท Frustration ยท Gratification ยท Gratitude ยท Grief ยท Guilt ยท Happiness ยท Hatred ยท Homesickness ยท Hope ยท Hostility ยท Humiliation ยท Hysteria ยท Inspiration ยท Interest ยท Jealousy ยท Kindness ยท Limerence ยท Loneliness ยท Love ยท Lust ยท Melancholia ยท Nostalgia ยท Panic ยท Patience ยท Pity ยท Pride ยท Rage ยท Regret ยท Remorse ยท Repentance ยท Resentment ยท Righteous indignation ยท Sadness ยท Saudade ยท Schadenfreude ยท Sehnsucht ยท Self-pity ยท Shame ยท Shyness ยท Suffering ยท Surprise ยท Suspicion ยท Sympathy ยท Wonder ยท Worry |
See also: Meta-emotion |
- โ James J. Messina, Ph.D., Constance M. Messina, Ph.D.. "Handling Resentment." (1999) 2 2 2008 <http://www.coping.org/anger/resent.htm>.