SADNESS DEFINITION:Characterized by unhappiness PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: A puffy face or eyes that appear red Smudged makeup Splotchy skin Sniffing and wiping at the nose Wincing Sighing Speaking less; seeming too-quiet A tearful or breaking voice Staring down at one’s hands Stooped posture—a caved chest, lowered shoulders, etc. A distant, dull, or empty stare A flat, monotone voice Difficulty participating in conversation, as if responding takes a great effort Downturned facial features Covering the face with the hands briefly before pulling them away Arms hanging at the sides, slack Crossing one’s arms and holding onto the shoulders (self-comforting) Slumping rather than sitting up straight A heavy-footed walk A slack expression Wet, dull eyes Bending forward, laying the head on the arms Movements that lack energy A trembling chin Digging for tissues Drawing the limbs close to the body Staring down at one’s empty hands Making excuses for one’s despondency:I’m just tired,orEverything’s fine, really. Decreased interaction with the world at large INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Hot or gummy eyelids A scratchy throat A runny nose Soreness in the throat and lungs Heaviness or tightness in the chest and limbs Blurred vision Lack of energy The body feeling cold MENTAL RESPONSES: Feeling like time is slowing down Difficulty responding to questions An inability to see where the future might go Turning inward; withdrawing A desire to escape the sadness (through sleep, drink, companionship, etc.) A need to be alone Desiring comfort from others but not knowing how to communicate it Avoiding the painful subject Denial Focusing on distractions (work, the problems of others, etc.) to avoid one’s pain ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Crying A loss of appetite Losing all hope that something positive might come Despondency Struggling with motivation Avoiding friends, since their positivity or happiness makes one feel worse SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Turning away Halting one’s speech to gain control Biting the lip Blinking Clearing one’s throat Changing the subject Sipping a drink or taking a bite to eat (to prove to others that one is stable) Quivery smiles A voice that sounds falsely bright Focusing on alleviating another’s pain rather than one’s own Excusing oneself to use the restroom or get a drink so one can be alone MAY ESCALATE TO:Nostalgia,Depressed,Loneliness,Frustration MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Somberness,Wistful ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Collapse, contract, cry, deflate double over, drag, fall, internalize loll, moan, obsess, quiver recoil, rock, shake, shamble shuffle, sniffle, stare WRITER’S TIP:In dialogue, be on the lookout for where your character “thinks” instead of responding verbally. This leads to unnatural, one-sided conversations.