TERROR DEFINITION:A state of extreme fear PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Rasping breaths Bulging eyes; an inability to blink Full body tremors Bolting out of hiding and rushing away from the threat Screaming, crying, or blubbering Speechlessness or incoherence Holding oneself tightly (clutching the arms or wrapping the arms around the belly) Squeezing one’s eyes shut Moaning and whimpering Trembling chin and lips Running away with no destination in mind Shaking one’s head, as if in denial Clapping the hands over the ears Pressing one’s fists to the sides of the head Crumpling to the ground Retreating into the fetal position or curling up on the knees Covering the face Cringing, flinching, or jumping at sounds Tense muscles and a rigid posture A primal scream Flaring nostrils Grabbing another person, refusing to let go or leave them Clumsiness (bumping into things, knocking things over, etc.) Clutching the throat or chest Gasping for air Clammy skin A harried, wild appearance Clawing at the cheeks, dragging the fingers down Tremors in the hands and fingers Copious sweating Risking a lesser danger in order to escape Causing self-harm (cuts, bruises, etc.) while trying to escape, and not noticing Spinning around, trying to spot any and all danger Backing away in quick, jerky steps from something or someone Fight responses (a rush attack, using anything at hand to hit or destroy, etc.) INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Hyperventilation A racing pulse The sound of the heartbeat thrashing in the ears A clenched jaw High pain tolerance—not feeling or noticing injuries Increased strength or stamina Claustrophobia (even if one is not usually claustrophobic) Pain in the chest, lungs, or throat Weak legs Increased sensitivity to every sound, touch, or change in the environment Dizziness; seeing black spots MENTAL RESPONSES: A compulsion to look back (when fleeing) Impaired decision making A single-minded focus: to save oneself or someone else Risk-taking Surrender (if a breaking point is reached) Hyper-vigilance Thoughts that keep coming back to the worst possible outcome Sensitivity to noise and movement ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Passing out from a stress overload, lack of oxygen, or both A mental break (humming, rocking, hands over the ears or eyes, etc.) Heart attack Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Insomnia Hallucinations Anxiety attacks Nightmares Depression Substance abuse Difficulties relating to others Isolation Phobias SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Terror, by nature, is almost impossible to suppress or hide. Any attempt to hide terror would simply display itself as FEAR. MAY ESCALATE TO:Panic,Paranoia,Anger,Rage MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Fear,Wariness,Resignation,Satisfaction ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Blubber, bolt, clench, clutch collapse, crumple, faint, freeze gasp, hyperventilate, moan, quiver run, scream, shake, shriek stammer, startle WRITER’S TIP:When conveying high emotion, keep the metaphors to a minimum. No matter how flowery or creative a character might be, in the midst of strong emotion, most people don’t think in those terms. Keep it simple to maintain believability.