However, for some people, wondering, “Am I a bad person?”
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There is no single, simple definition for what it means to be a “bad person.”
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One person might define it as someone who engages inharmful or destructive behaviors.
Labeling yourself as ‘bad’ is often a judgment that stems from your value system.
Here are a few signs that you might need to evaluate your actions further.
How you respond afterward can say a lot about who you are as a person.
It also means that you are willing to reflect on your actions and make amends when needed.
Empathy is an important ability that helps you understand others and share their pain.
A lack of empathy can signify a need for change in how you treat others.
People who engage in exploitive ormanipulative behaviorstypically have no problem lying to get what they want.
Possible influences might include your personality, experiences, and mental health.
Personality
Certainpersonality traitscan affect how you feel about yourself.
For example, neuroticism is one of the core dimensions of personality.
Individuals with a D-factor personality also often have traits that can make them feel like a bad person.
People with high levels of D-factor personality traits tend to have a disregard for the well-being of others.
Our earliest experiences in life involve watching our caregivers and other adults.
Other experiences and influences also play a role.
In that case, it is crucial to seek help.
These experts can assess your symptoms, make a diagnosis, and recommend treatments to help relieve your symptoms.
If you have one of thesemental health conditions, getting a diagnosis is an important first step.
Start by talking to your healthcare provider or mental health professional.
As mental health professionals, our job is to look for a comprehensive diagnosis.
Feeling like you are a bad person may be the symptom of some deeper underlying mental health issue.
It is important to know that labeling yourself and others can have negative consequences.
Everyone makes mistakes, has bad days, and has things they’d like to change.
Remind yourself that even if you’ve made mistakes, you are not defined by them.
Engaging in behaviors that exploit or disregard others is harmful and needs to be addressed.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
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