Embitterment is a distinct state of mood known to everyone. It can be seen in the context of exceptional though "normal" negative life events. It is an emotional reaction e.g. to humiliation, to being severely disappointed by others, or to violations of basic values. Embitterment is accompanied by other emotions like feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, poor moods and a lack of drive, and aggression towards oneself and others. It can end in suicide or even murder-suicide and in a distinct pathological state known as "Posttraumatic Embitterment Disorder (PTED)". But despite the high prevalence rates, the detrimental effects on individuals and its forensic and societal importance, embitterment has yet to receive due scientific attention. In this book pioneers in embitterment research summarize the current knowledge on embitterment, its triggers, phenomenology and consequences. The work is intended to stimulate international debate and to contribute to a better understanding of embitterment and a deeper appreciation of the impact of exceptional but normal negative life events on psychological well-being.

Prof. Dr.med. Dipl.Psych Michael Linden, Head of Research Group Psychosomatic Rehabilitation, Charité, BerlinProf. Dr. Dr. Andreas Maercker, Head of Department of Psychopathology and Clinical Intervention, University of Zurich, Switzerland

1. Psychology and neurobiology of embitterment PTSD and beyond. The embitterment reaction The psychology of embitterment Psychology of hope and despair The belief in a just word Personality and embitterment reactions Neurobiological Correlates of Social Exclusion and Social Pain Revenge Wisdom psychology 2. Context of embitterment Partnership and embitterment Bereavement and embitterment Life Span development, old age and embitterment Cancer and embitterment Work and Embitterment The Asian perspective on "loosing one¿s face" War trauma, Displacement and Embitterment 3. Treatment of embitterment Pharmacotherapeutic options in the treatment of reactive disorders and embitterment Forgiveness therapy Wisdom psychotherapy 4. Legal, societal, and political dimensions of embitterment and forgiveness Homicide-suicide and forensic aspects of injustice, humiliation and embitterment Introduction: Embitterment and the German Reunification Forgiveness education in Northern Ireland Embitterment and Apartheid 5. Embitterment and the classification of mental disorders The differentiation between normal and pathological emmotion. Should embitterment be listed in glossaries of psychopathological terms? Differentiation between "Reactive mental disorders" and adjustment problems because of personality (-disorders) Classification of reactive mental disorders in ICD and DSM Context factors and reactive disorders in the Posttraumatic Embitterment Disorder