TORMENTED DEFINITION:Experiencing extreme mental distress because of one’s closeness to a possible crisis or disaster PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Eyes going wide, being unable to blink, appearing haunted Eyebrows pulled together, the crease deep and evident A quivering chin Dragging one’s fingers down the cheeks Covering the ears and rocking Pressing the palms hard against the cheeks The body quaking Being unable to sit still A strangled cry of frustration A voice that breaks and sounds high pitched Needing to move, pace, or destroy something Clock-watching (or door-watching, text-watching, etc.) Taking shallow, rapid breaths or gulping at the air Rubbing the arms repetitively as if one is cold (a self-soothing gesture) Gripping one wrist with the other hand and squeezing, using pain to focus The posture collapsing, being unable to support one’s weight Clasping hands over one’s head and bringing the elbows in tight Pressing a fist against trembling lips Slamming a hand into a wall; kicking, hitting, or destroying something for release Wringing or dry washing one’s hands Gripping a symbol for comfort (holding a son’s bear while waiting for news about the child’s surgery outcome) Running one’s hands through the hair repeatedly Needing to vocalize one’s torment:Waiting like this is destroying me! Grabbing fistfuls of hair and pulling (using physical pain to push back emotional pain) Holding the stomach and doubling over Massaging the throat to try and make swallowing and talking easier Sensitivity to noise and touch (jumping, flinching, etc.) Hands that shake and fumble Pressing a fist against the chest and rubbing it as if to dislodge the pain Lashing out, yelling, or screaming INTERNAL SENSATIONS: An upset stomach Nausea A restricted throat Pain in the chest Feeling cold all over An inability to draw deep breaths because one is reflexively pushing down on the diaphragm MENTAL RESPONSES: Praying, even if one doesn’t normally do so Making mental bargains:I’ll give up whatever I need to for this to be all right. Feeling shame and unworthiness for not avoiding this situation or doing something to prevent the terrible outcome that may result Feeling paralyzed by hopelessness, guilt, and dread The sensation that time has slowed or stopped One’s mind embracing the worst-case scenario and playing it out Feeling as if one will never move on from this moment and the pain will be eternal ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Being unable to eat or drink Being unable to form words Tears that won’t stop An anxiety attack Arms tense and hands open as if holding a ball, shaking with extreme force Mentally shutting down; being unable to cope SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Turning away from other people to hide one’s emotions The body quaking with the force of held-in sobs Being unable to speak Fingernails biting into the palms so one can focus on the pain Finding a way to escape the situation so one can be alone to process it (flight) MAY ESCALATE TO:Terror,Hysteria,Vulnerability MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Stunned,Skepticism,Relief,Gratitude ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Beat, burn, clench, crush cry, curse, grapple, grieve groan hit, pummel, punish, quake seethe, shake, shout, suffer weep, worry, wring WRITER’S TIP:If you want readers to connect with a point-of-view character’s emotions, consider how to make them likeable or sympathetic. This allows for empathy bonds to form.