EMOTION THESAURUS

SELF-LOATHING



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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:
Directing anger and blame inward; believing that one has little to no value

NOTES:
Self-loathing can manifest through seemingly contrasting behaviors. Some characters may seem guilt-ridden and deserving of pain, while others act aggressively to mask their feelings of self-hatred and low worth.

PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS:
Crying or often being on the verge of tears
Apologizing for failures and mistakes
Trying too hard to please
Looking to others for reassurance: "Is this right?, or "Should I tell do this?"
Having impossible expectations for oneself that one can't reach
Accepting punishments without question
Scrutinizing flaws (grabbing at a non-existent roll of fat, obsessing over pimples, etc.)
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INTERNAL SENSATIONS:
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MENTAL RESPONSES:
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CUES OF ACUTE OR LONG TERM SELF-LOATHING:
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MAY ESCALATE TO:
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CUES OF SUPPRESSED SELF-LOATHING:
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MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:
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ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS:
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