Psychological alienation

Individuals may be at war with themselves, torn between different attitudes and values. This is particularly true where the value-system ingrained during the years of youth is later confronted by rapidly changing social conditions and demands. A person, in attempting to adjust to these, becomes alienated from his tradition, which gives rise to guilt, doubt and confusion and considerable inner suffering. Individuals may also lose their self-worth. In its intense form psychological alienation is pathological and sociopathic.