DEVASTATION DEFINITION:Overwhelming shock and sorrow PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Asking someone to repeat the news out of utter disbelief Laying a splayed-out hand against one’s chest Needing to sit or be supported Covering one’s face with both hands and collapsing Stopping what one was doing mid-task A pained expression, with eyes that cloud or focus inward Brows that pull together and down A gape that widens Slow shakes of the head that become wider and faster as the news sinks in Not knowing where to look or what to do Expelling an audible breath One’s chest caving, the spine curling forward Using a hand to support one’s head or rub at the forehead Being at a loss for words (speaking in fragmented sentences, starting and stopping, etc.) Pressing a palm over one’s mouth and then letting it fall away or pull down Arms that drag at one’s shoulders, with the limbs going loose Sagging back into a chair A voice that goes weak or cracks Eyes that fill with tears A shaking hand reaching to cover the mouth Repeating negatives:It just can’t be,orI don’t believe this is happening. Receiving a hug but being too numb to return it Not responding to questions Not knowing what to do with one’s hands Staring down, with the neck bent forward Shuffling steps A strangled sob Letting out a grief-choked wail or scream Swaying slightly on one’s feet Sinking to one’s knees Leaving without explanation (flight) Loosening one’s grip, which leads to dropping an item or letting something go INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A sudden weakness in one’s limbs Pressure building in the chest from forgetting to breathe Dizziness Tingling in the chest and stomach that signals dread A heart that hurts Feeling numb all over MENTAL RESPONSES: Being unable to believe what one is seeing (if one is experiencing the cause firsthand) Imagining the event unfolding as it is described (if one is hearing the news secondhand) Immediately remembering the last time one was in contact with the affected person, people group, or place Thinking of the people most deeply affected and how they are taking the news Sudden regret:Why didn’t I visit more often?andI should have told her what she meant to me. Feeling relief, followed by guilt:Thank goodness Joe stayed home, or he’d be dead too. Struggling with even the small things; feeling overwhelmed ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Being unable to eat, sleep, or engage in normal activities Cutting the source of pain from one’s life (giving up a passion, quitting a job, etc.) Progressing into grief but never moving past it Becoming a hollowed-out version of oneself (lacking vitality, drive, or personality) Emotional numbness that prevents connection with people or the world outside Losing the will to live SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Withdrawing from the situation to be alone (flight) Saying nothing and retreating inside oneself Self-medicating to numb the emotional pain A chin that quakes with one’s effort to keep in tears Throwing oneself at a task (e.g., funeral arrangements) to avoid the pain of grief MAY ESCALATE TO:Powerlessness,Grief,Despair,Depressed MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Loneliness,Neglected,Wistful,Acceptance ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Ache, beg, buckle, clutch collapse, console, cry, cut destroy, disbelieve, gasp, grieve hold, hurt, moan, mourn pray, quiver, rock, sag shake, slacken, slouch, stare sting, stutter, suffer, tear tremble, twist, undo, weep wheeze WRITER’S TIP:Opening up about difficult feelings signals an important breakthrough for a character on their journey of change. To be realistic, it won’t be easy; emotional pain is hard to face and harder to talk about. Show this stress and struggle using vocal cues and body language.