EMOTION AMPLIFIER THESAURUS

STRESS



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HELPFUL TIP:

Amplifiers are conditions that enhance emotions, causing characters to become more volatile. This often leads to impaired decision-making, hasty actions and, best of all, mistakes. When utilizing an amplifier to generate conflict, think carefully about setting choices and which environments will naturally escalate emotion. An amplifier can also be perfect for triggering your character’s negative traits; the resulting fallout will draw attention to how his flaws trip him up and hold him back.
DESCRIPTION:
This state of tension or strain can impact a character in multiple ways. Prolonged stress can be especially detrimental, leading to serious complications both cognitively and physically.

PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
Rigid muscles
A clenched jaw
Tendons standing out
A gaze that doesn't settle, darting from place to place
A grim turn of the mouth
The character appearing older or more haggard than normal
Shrugging and rolling the shoulders as if to shake off the weight of stress
Rubbing the neck or cracking it from side to side
Running the hands through the hair
Shaking out the hands and arms to release energy
Leaning forward with a stiff neck
Pacing back and forth
Rushing from place to place with a hurried stride
Using shorter sentences and speaking more quickly
Barking orders at people
Speaking loudly or with force
Making demands instead of requests
Using a strong, businesslike handshake
Not being as organized and prepared as others
Being in constant motion
Approaching mundane tasks mechanically and efficiently
Complaining constantly about little things that go wrong
Relieving stress through aggressive gum chewing, popping the knuckles, etc.
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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ACUTE OR LONG-TERM CUES:
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EFFORTS TO HIDE THE STRESS:
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ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS:
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EMOTIONS GENERATED BY THIS AMPLIFIER:
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DUTIES OR DESIRES THAT MAY BE MORE DIFFICULT TO FULFILL:
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SCENARIOS FOR BUILDING CONFLICT AND TENSION:
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WRITER’S TIP:
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