DESPAIR DEFINITION:Losing all hope; becoming despondent PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Shoulders dragging low, the arms losing all tension A caved-in chest A slack expression A hanging head Letting out a hard sigh and closing one’s eyes Eyebrows that pinch together A pained expression The mouth opening but no words coming forth Slumping where one stands or sits Weakly throwing up one’s hands Hands that slide loosely into one’s lap Leaning forward, with the hands draping limply over one’s knees Taking shallow yet audible breaths Sagging back in one’s seat, hands falling to one’s sides Tipping one’s head back to look heavenward, then letting it flop forward Hair that hangs in one’s face Stumbling—one’s feet dragging and catching with each step Reddening eyes Making no attempt to wipe loose tears away Placing one’s hands over the face Kneading one’s chest with the heel of one’s hand as if to stop the pain Grabbing fistfuls of hair while propping up the head with one’s hands Knees that weaken and then catch (while standing) A hitching chest or open sobbing An uncontrollable cry or moan Lacking the strength to support oneself (falling into a seat or against a table or wall) WhisperingOh God, orNo, it can’t be. Shaking one’s head slowly with one's eyes closed Lips that pinch together or grimace Laying one’s head down on the arms (at a table) Weakly slinging an arm around someone in comfort A body that appears to shrink Retreating inside oneself (not responding to people’s questions or reacting to touch) Saying things without a filter and not caring who is listening:We’re all doomed. INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A sudden heaviness or numbness Dizziness A head that pounds A heart that aches Limbs that tingle with fatigue A thickening in one’s throat Feeling one’s heartbeat in one’s throat Eyes growing wet, the vision blurring A mouth that feels gummy with excess saliva MENTAL RESPONSES: Losing track of time Recycling bleak thoughts:That’s it, she’s gone. I’m alone. I can’t do this without her. Feeling as though things are happening too quickly to process them Numb emotions; ceasing to care about who is watching or observing Distorted observations (reacting slowly to movement, not processing what someone says, failing to recognize someone immediately, etc.) Mentally shutting down ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Falling into a depressive state Turning to alcohol or drugs for comfort Thoughts of suicide or attempting suicide Bluntness; saying hurtful things and not caring SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Trying to put on a brave face (smiles that flicker and go out, false enthusiasm, etc.) Throwing oneself into a task to keep one’s mind off what has happened Keeping secrets so others maintain their hope Lying to others; telling them that things are fine when they are not MAY ESCALATE TO:Bitterness,Devastation,Grief,Depressed,Defeat MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Powerlessness,Sadness,Vulnerability,Hopefulness ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Cave, crumble, cry, cut defeat, demoralize, drain, dread droop, fall, lose, numb pain, rail, sag, shrink slacken, stumble, surrender, weaken WRITER’S TIP:Visceral sensations are powerful, but if used too often, they can lose their strength. Save them for when you really want to make a big emotional impact in a scene.