The Intricacies of Survivor's Guilt: Exploring Its Phenomenon Across Contexts

Survivor’s guilt is the response to an event that some people experience when they survive a traumatic event or situation that others did not. This psychological phenomenon can be associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and complicated grief. Survivor’s guilt is described as the manifestation of tension, distress, or solitude that is triggered by a celebration of life, references to the deceased, and expressions of sympathy. Survivor’s guilt is difficult to treat, and the treatment will depend on the severity of the patient’s symptoms and the individual’s specific needs. This symptom is often overlooked, as it gets grouped into the broader recognized disorder of PTSD. It has been studied within various contexts, including instances of multiple causality, bereaved populations, and HIV-positive men.