Bitterness (emotion)

Resentment an emotion of anger felt as a result of a real or imagined wrong done. Etymologically from "ressentir", French re-, intensive prefix, and sentir "to feel"; from the latin "sentire". The English word has become synonymous with anger and bitterness.

Often resentment will manifest itself in the following ways.

-The harboring of animosity against a person or group of people whom the person feels has mistreated them.

-Unresolved anger over a negative event which occurred in the past.

-Seething, aching emotional turmoil felt whenever a certain person or event is discussed.

-The lack of forgiving, the inability to let go and forget.

-A root of distrust and suspicion have when dealing with people or events that brought pain in the past.

-Unresolved grief experienced when finding it difficult to accept a loss.

-A grudge held against a person or group of people whom the person feels has kept them from achieving anything.

It can be an emotionally disturbing experience that is being felt again or relived in the mind. When the person feeling resentment is directing the emotion at himself it appears as remorse.

(See Kierkegaard and Nietzsche; also 12-step discussion of Resentment)