'guilt-ridden' originates from the combination of 'guilt' and the suffix '-ridden', where 'ridden' is derived from Old English 'rīdan', meaning 'to ride'.

'guilt-ridden' evolved from the Old English word 'rīdan', which was used to describe being carried or overwhelmed by something, eventually forming the modern English compound adjective 'guilt-ridden'.

Initially, 'ridden' meant 'carried by', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'overwhelmed by' when combined with 'guilt'.