ANGUISH DEFINITION:Emotional or mental distress; acute suffering PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Manic pacing Rubbing the back of one’s neck Tugging one’s hair Not eating or drinking Visible sweating Skin bunching around the eyes A pained stare Hands clenching into fists Rubbing the wrists or wringing the hands Restless fingers Jumping at sounds Grinding one’s teeth or clenching the jaw A corded neck Moving about; being unable to settle in one place Muscles jumping under the skin Curling one’s toes Repeatedly touching an object that symbolizes safety Audible stress in one’s voice and tone Picking at one’s lips, skin, or nails Clutching at oneself (self-soothing reactions) Shivering, moaning, sobbing, or weeping Yelling or shouting; becoming emotionally unstable Checking and rechecking the time Asking those in authority for updates Shoulders that curl over the chest Bringing one’s legs up close to the body’s core Turning away from others while muttering Seeking corners in confined spaces Beating at walls or surrounding objects for a release INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Sore muscles, stiffness, and cramping Pain in the back of the throat (difficulty swallowing) Elevated body temperature Nausea MENTAL RESPONSES: Thinking irrationally Praying, bargaining, and making mental promises Believing in anything that promises a positive outcome Fixating on the source of suffering A willingness to put oneself in harm’s way for emotional relief ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Screaming for release A gaunt appearance, wasting away, and premature aging Posture that bends or crumples Vomiting or dry heaving Hyperventilation Poor coloring; dark circles under the eyes Wrinkles and sagging around the eyes and mouth Alcohol, drug, or medication dependency Bald patches Facial tics or repetitive mannerisms (hair tugging, body rocking, etc.) Cutting, scratching, or other self-destructive behaviors Depression and suicidal thoughts or attempts SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Wincing Gritting one’s teeth Facial tension Uncontrolled shivering and hand tremors Muscle tightness Furtive movements Hiding expressive gestures like hand wringing Bitten nails with bleeding quicks A downturned mouth or pinched lips Pressed lips that tremble Engaging in hard manual labor (to expend energy and exhaust oneself) Minimal speaking (one-word answers, shaking or nodding the head, etc.) Chain smoking Drinking heavily MAY ESCALATE TO:Desperation,Tormented,Depressed,Hysteria MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Hurt,Guilt,Unease,Uncertainty,Vulnerability,Self-Pity ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Blister, burn, consume, distress endure, groan, howl, inflict moan, overcome, pain, pierce seize, sob, strangle, suffer suffocate, torment, writhe WRITER’S TIP:Don’t be afraid to challenge your character’s morals. Putting them in situations that are outside their comfort zone will make them squirm, and the reader will too.