WORRY DEFINITION:Mental distress that arises from disturbing thoughts, usually regarding some anticipated event PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Wrinkling the brow Biting one’s lip Pinching the skin at the throat Feet that bounce or tap Pulling or twisting one’s hair Going quiet; turning inward Drinking too much coffee or smoking excessively Circles under the eyes One’s eyebrows drawing together Tossing and turning in bed; an inability to sleep Asking too many questions Stroking or rubbing an eyebrow Wearing rumpled, unwashed clothes Rubbing one’s hands on a pant leg Lank or unwashed hair Poor communication with others Repeatedly rubbing the face A gaze that flits around the room, never settling on a person or object for long Clinging to loved ones Taking deep breaths in an effort to calm oneself Engaging in pointless activities to stay busy Calling in sick A stooped posture Clutching at a sweater, purse, or necklace for comfort Biting the nails or chewing on a knuckle Running a jerky hand through the hair Smoothing and re-smoothing one’s clothing Clasping one’s hands together A stiff neck Strained muscles A pained or watery gaze Clearing the throat Blinking less (as if worried one might miss something) Fidgeting—having a hard time sitting still, needing to pace, etc. Sitting, then standing, then sitting again INTERNAL SENSATIONS: A loss of appetite A sensitive stomach Heartburn or other digestive issues Dry mouth A constricted throat MENTAL RESPONSES: Uncertainty over choices made An unwillingness to leave a place of safety An inability to focus A need to control Regret for a past action Distancing oneself from others Reading into things; overanalyzing Assuming the worst-case scenario Overprotectiveness Irritability ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Weight loss Premature gray New wrinkles Slipping grades at school or poor performance at work Ulcers Anxiety attacks Panic disorders High blood pressure Heart disease Increased sickness due to a compromised immune system Insomnia and fatigue Hypochondria SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: Furtively watching the clock or door Jumpiness A strained or faked smile Adopting new hobbies to distract oneself Putting up a false front as if everything is okay A shortened attention span Humming that feels forced or fades quickly after it starts Going about one’s daily activities with the mind somewhere else MAY ESCALATE TO:Wariness,Fear,Anxiety,Paranoia,Dread MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Uncertainty,Unease,Relief ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Agitate, ask, clutch, complain criticize, demand, droop, fiddle fret, fuss, hover, investigate mutter, nag, obsess, pace pull, repeat, stew, twirl twist WRITER’S TIP:Weather details can add texture and meaning to a scene. Consider how a character’s mood can shift because of the weather. It can also stand in the way of their goals, providing tension.