ABSTRACT
This chapter is about the workings of regret: that typically bother-some, gnawing feeling that develops when one looks back on a decision or action that had not panned out as well as one had hoped and “kicks” oneself for having performed as one had. This may result in one’s becoming hopelessly mired in regret that seems to be without remedy, particularly if the regrettable situation cannot be undone. The clinical task of working with patients suffering from maladaptive levels of regret involves helping them work through their feelings of regret. If a patient shows signs of being plagued with regret, he must first be helped to recognize as much before any progress can be made. Patients must first address their tendencies to blame others before they can move on to the central task of mourning lost possibilities that can never be, no matter how badly one longs for a second chance to undo past actions and recapture lost opportunities.
