Resentment is a complex, multilayered emotion that has been described as a mixture of disappointment, disgust, and anger. It is a negative emotional reaction to being mistreated or wronged by another person. Resentment can result from a variety of situations involving a perceived wrongdoing from an individual, which are often sparked by expressions of injustice or humiliation. Common sources of resentment include publicly humiliating incidents, feeling like an object of regular discrimination or prejudice, envy/jealousy, feeling used or taken advantage of by others, and unrealistic expectations of others. Resentment can also function to warn against further, future, harmful, and unfair situations from occurring again.
Signs of resentment include the inability to let go or forgive, at least temporarily, and a complex variety of emotions that include anger, disappointment, bitterness, and hard feelings. Resentment can lead to broken trust and love in relationships, and it can be triggered by relationships with people who insist on being right all the time, being taken advantage of by another, feeling put down, unrealistic expectations of others, and not being heard.
Resentment is not linked to any particular mental condition but may instead result from the inadequate expression of emotions after a painful experience. It can be a relatively common emotion, and most people will experience it at some point in their lives.
