Guilt is a primary example of how the initial hurt of intimate betrayal can insidiously undermine recovery, affecting all areas of life, especially family relationships.
Modern humans respond to behaviors that threaten emotional bonds through guilt, which served as an evolutionary function for survival by regulating closeness within relationships.
Guilt's function is primarily relational; it regulates distance in relationships. When we draw close, guilt dissipates; when we withdraw, guilt intensifies.
Understanding that guilt stems from our evolution, rather than moral judgments, can help individuals move past it and begin the healing process after betrayal.
Collection
[
|
...
]