Process - Physician - Fraser Health Authority

Good Guilt / Bad GuiltA world without guilt would be a frightening place. Guilt is the internal pause button thatencourages us to question our behaviors, feelings, intentions, beliefs, judgments, valuesand helps us decide whether something is “right or wrong.”Guilt can be extremely helpful in keeping us on track as we navigate throughrelationships and life.Conversely guilt can be crippling, leading to shame, self-doubt and depression. It canbe a harmful weapon when we use it against ourselves or to control and manipulateanother person.Use the following questions to help you assesswhether your feeling of guilt is helpfulor harmful.1 What happened that led to my feeling of guilt?2 What am I responsible for in this situation?3 What circumstances and/or other people may have contributed to this outcome?4 What percentage of the guilt belongs to circumstances and/or other people?5 What part of the guilt belongs to me?6 What do I do with this guilt?• Learn from my mistakes.• Commit to better actions in the future.• Make restitutions to others.• Avoid shaming myself.• Forgive myself and others.CBIS MANUAL | MAY 2009COGNITION | 5361