In some instances, resentment may make it hard for you to let go of anger. If you’ve been hurt by someone and start to notice any of these things, it could be a sign that you’re beginning to experience resentment. When this happens, old feelings of anger and bitterness may begin to reappear and grow stronger. Some people deal with resentment by holding grudges and acting out passive-aggressively.įor others, resentment can lead to ending relationships where the wrongdoing took place.Įngaging with people or places that remind you of past mistreatment may make you feel invisible or inadequate. Resentment can bring about changes in your relationship. When you feel resentful, certain people or situations may trigger unwanted memories of wrongdoing. This may cause you to avoid situations or people who bring up these negative emotions. People will often do this to protect themselves and their own well-being. Recurring negative thoughts may take over and linger for long periods of time - sometimes even years.įor some people, resentment may cause feelings of disappointment or remorse. When a person thinks back to a stressful event, they may respond to regret and remorse with self-blame and wishing they had acted differently. Sometimes resentment leads to an inability to stop thinking about the event that caused intense emotion. Inability to Stop Thinking About the Event When these feelings become unbearable, they can lead to resentment. It’s common to feel recurring negative feelings toward people or situations that hurt you. Here are some of the signs and symptoms to watch out for: Several signs, however, can indicate that you or someone you know might be on the path toward experiencing overwhelming resentment. Resentment leads to the inability to let go or forgive, at least temporarily.
Resentment describes a negative emotional reaction to being mistreated.