Penitentiary and Persecutory Guilt

  Guilt is a complex feeling that’s expressed in many different ways. Two of these manifestations are penitentiary and persecutory guilt, both of which have respective neurotic modalities. They’re both forms of guilt that imply discomfort. In the psychoanalytic field, the concepts of penitential and persecutory guilt were first analyzed by Melanie Klein, from the point of view of anguish. Later, they were developed in more detail by Dr. León Grinberg. Both authors recognized the complexity that can surround guilt. It’s a feeling that often involves really deep unconscious aspects. In addition, it’s often not consciously recognized but rather manifests…