Educational reference
About this symptom
This describes a persistent, harsh view of oneself: a sense of being fundamentally inadequate, a burden, or undeserving, and guilt disproportionate to anything that occurred.
It differs from ordinary self-criticism in its intensity and immovability. People often recognise intellectually that the judgement is unfair while still feeling it to be true, and they may extend blame to events they could not have influenced. Guilt may attach to the illness itself: to being unable to work, to needing help, to the effect on others.
These beliefs are a recognised feature of depressive conditions rather than an accurate assessment. They tend to lift as the depression does, which is itself informative.
Severe self-blame is associated with greater distress and is worth raising with a health professional. If it accompanies thoughts of self-harm, see our crisis resources page for how to find urgent support.