SHOCK DEFINITION:Lingering upset after experiencing a traumatic or fear-inducing event PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Taking a step or two back Eyes widening or bulging Body movements that freeze momentarily Becoming speechless Rapid blinking as one tries to process what one has seen or heard The mouth falling open Raising the eyebrows One’s head drawing back quickly Covering one’s mouth with the palm A shaky or disbelieving voice Not knowing where to look; a wandering gaze that doesn’t settle Pressing a fist to the mouth or pinching the lips between the thumb and index finger Needing to sit down or lean against something for support Rubbing one’s forehead and shaking the head Asking questions to better understand or cope with the news Tears welling up at bad news Turning away and shielding the face Rubbing at one’s eyes as if to reaffirm what one is seeing Taking shaky breaths Lightly holding or stroking one’s throat in a self-soothing gesture Rubbing or pressing down on the breastbone Posture that crumples (shoulders falling and the chest caving in) Stepping back from others to create space; needing a moment to process the information Stuttering; struggling to find the right words Pressing one’s hands against one’s ears Shaking the head in denial Stumbling or shambling Forgetting what one was doing Swaying slightly Folding an arm against one’s stomach One’s voice cracking or warbling with emotion Voicing denial Squeezing the eyes shut INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A sudden feeling of cold or a heaviness that expands in one’s core Muscles that go weak or numb Feeling dizzy Skin that tingles with discomfort Light chest pain or a tightness in the chest A heavy feeling in the stomach MENTAL RESPONSES: Refusing to believe the truth of what one has seen Tuning out everything other than what has caused the shock Replaying what one has seen (or imagining what one has heard) Time seeming to slow down Wishing something was not true or real Wishing one could go back to a state of ignorance Wanting to have a reason for what happened to better understand it ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Shutting down; emotional numbness Fleeing the situation Collapsing; one’s body being unable to bear its own weight Denial Sobbing Rapid swallowing to try and dispel a thick ache in the throat Seeking comfort or closeness with others who are sharing the experience SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Eyes bulging before one can control one’s expression Muscles that stiffen involuntarily before one forcibly relaxes them Busying oneself to appear indifferent about what has happened Seeking a quick exit to avoid the scrutiny of others Hands that tremble slightly A sudden onset of clumsiness MAY ESCALATE TO:Disbelief,Disgust,Anger,Humiliation,Anguish MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Regret,Sadness,Resignation ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Ache, appall, back away, collapse comfort, disbelieve, dread, drop flinch, gape, grasp, hold horrify, jerk, lean, numb question, reach out, regress, regret retreat, shake, shout, stroke stumble, stutter, traumatize, tremble weaken, weave WRITER’S TIP:Sometimes an unexpected emotion creates a gateway to a revelation, showing the character a deeper truth about a past event or offering them clarity in a current one. Spend time describing these moments because they often lead to growth and transformation.