Definition of "survivor guilt" [survivor guilt]

• A deep feeling of guilt often experienced by those who have survived some catastrophe that took the lives of many others; derives in part from a feeling that they did not do enough to save the others who perished and in part from feelings of being unworthy relative to those who died (noun)

WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.

• "Also”—Jadzia felt T’len’s gaze upon her—“we were concerned that if … when you found out about the fate of your Empire, you would do what so many other Klingons have done—go off on a suicidal mission to assuage survivor guilt and die in battle."