While "bitter" itself is not a formally recognized mental illness in diagnostic manuals like the DSM-V, some professionals view extreme bitterness as a core feature of a condition called Post-traumatic Embitterment Disorder (PTED).
Here's a breakdown:
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Not a Formal Diagnosis: PTED is not currently listed as an official diagnosis in the DSM-V (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition), the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals.
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Post-traumatic Embitterment Disorder (PTED): PTED is a concept researched by clinicians and explored in academic literature. It's characterized by persistent feelings of bitterness, resentment, and injustice following a traumatic or intensely negative life event.
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Key Characteristics of PTED: Individuals with PTED often experience:
- Intense and prolonged bitterness.
- A sense of injustice or being wronged.
- Difficulty accepting the event.
- Pervasive negative emotions and outlook.
- Impaired social and occupational functioning.
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Ongoing Research: Despite not being formally recognized, PTED is a subject of ongoing research, with articles exploring its causes, symptoms, and potential treatments. Journals like Psychological Trauma have dedicated issues to the topic.
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Important Distinction: It's crucial to distinguish between experiencing occasional feelings of bitterness (a normal human emotion) and the persistent, debilitating bitterness that characterizes PTED. The latter significantly impacts a person's quality of life and functioning.
In summary, while the simple feeling of "bitter" isn't a mental illness, extreme and persistent bitterness can be a central aspect of Post-traumatic Embitterment Disorder, a condition currently being researched but not yet formally recognized as a distinct mental illness.
