EMOTION THESAURUS

OVERWHELMED



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HELPFUL TIP:

The inner landscape of your characters (especially your protagonist) is the lifeblood that runs through your story. Emotions, and how they're expressed, are tied deeply to a character’s personality and which positive traits and negative traits will manifest. To bring your readers in deeper through shared experience, consider filtering the setting descriptions through your character’s emotions while also exploring important colors, textures, and shapes through his or her senses.
DEFINITION:
To be overpowered or overcome by feelings or circumstances

PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
Bringing a shaky hand to the forehead
Holding a palm up to stop someone from dumping on more worry
Waving people away
Shoulders that drop or curl
A chest that caves in
Clutching at one's arms or stomach
Touching a temple while closing the eyes
A voice choked with tears
A chest that hitches
A quaking voice
Poor balance
Mumbling, muttering
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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CUES OF ACUTE OR LONG TERM OVERWHELMED:
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MAY ESCALATE TO:
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CUES OF SUPPRESSED OVERWHELMED:
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MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:
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ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS:
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