APPREHENSION DEFINITION:A stress state caused by the anticipation of misfortune or adversity PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Watching the clock or door (or checking one’s phone for a text, etc.) Chewing the inside of a cheek Wetting or biting the lips Rocking slightly with a faraway look (an inward gaze) An uneven stride or hesitating before moving A fixed look of concentration Growing unusually quiet Offering a flash of a smile that doesn’t reach the eyes Needing to get up, move, or do something Gripping the hands together Repeatedly pinching the skin between the thumb and forefinger Picking at one’s cuticles Touching the face frequently (scratching a cheek, rubbing an eyebrow, etc.) A strained voice Impatience with others Rapping one’s fingers against the thigh, or tapping a loose fist against the lips Taking periodic deep breaths with long exhales Smoothing down one’s clothing Changing one’s clothing frequently (if one will be judged for one’s appearance) Grimacing; displaying a pained look Fidgeting and touching things; needing to keep one’s hands busy Going into planning mode (talking out options, making notes to oneself, etc.) Starting tasks only to abandon them due to a lack of focus Being unable to engage fully with others (relaxing, conversing, sharing activities, etc.) Picking at food due to a lackluster appetite or displaying the opposite in the form of restless snacking Drinking too much coffee, smoking too much, vaping far more than usual, etc. Difficulty following conversations unless they center on one’s worries Rubbing one’s arms as if they’re cold Needing to talk things out with others (even strangers) to process feelings Asking others for their take on the situation Soliciting information from people in the know to better understand what one is up against Turning to those who have navigated this situation or challenge before Listing possible problems and obstacles on paper Talking to oneself INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A tightness or tingling in the chest Dryness in the mouth caused by frequent swallowing Feeling the throb of one’s heartbeat during still, quiet periods (increased blood pressure) Light-headedness An upset stomach Feeling itchier than normal MENTAL RESPONSES: A fixation on whatever is causing the apprehension Creating a mental tally of what could go wrong Thinking back to other experiences where apprehension was warranted Proactively building strategies to deal with possible complications Engaging in self-talk to encourage positive thinking and optimism (which only half-works) Sensitivity to loud or unusual sounds Thoughts that won’t turn off Wishing time would hurry up Difficulty sleeping, or falling asleep but quickly waking up again Over-preparing (studying, over-packing, checking and re-checking documents, etc.) ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Second-guessing one’s decisions and actions Being risk-averse and taking extra precautions Reversing a choice due to irrational superstitions or the idea that “safe is better than sorry” Being impatient with others; displaying rudeness Lashing out over small things SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Asking questions in a roundabout away that circle one’s concerns or fears Trying to stay active to distract oneself from worry Nodding to oneself and speaking with optimism Apologizing and making an excuse for any unusual behavior that draws attention Feigning fatigue or boredom to appear at ease to others A smile that appears frozen or that disappears quickly MAY ESCALATE TO:Dread,Fear,Tormented MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Vulnerability,Relief,Unease ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Agitate, clasp, conceal, confess disguise, dread, fidget, fuss grow, lean, obsess, overthink pace, pinch, question, redo reevaluate, rethink, reverse, seize shift, startle, strain, tighten tremble, undo, unsettle, voice wait, watch, waver, worry WRITER’S TIP:The emotional spectrum is vast, yet often we only see more prominent “core” feelings being described. Go off the map! Incorporate a variety of feelings to provide a richer experience for your readers.