Survivor guilt—the guilt one feels at having survived or thrived situations in which others did not--is a profoundly important factor in creating psychopathology.  While easy to see in situations of severe trauma, like concentration camps and battle, it also affects people who simply want to have more of the good things in life than their families.  Such guilt leads people to sabotage themselves in order to not surpass their family, whether that be in the realm of love, work, education, or simply happiness.

Download Transcript