Unexpected Emotions

ms-CFMl7F

Emotions are hard to relay sometimes. I can say I’m sad, but I might really mean that I’m disappointed. Or I say I’m feeling hurt, when a better description might be rejected. Words are important, and the English language is filled with descriptions to help us communicate what we are really trying to relay about how we feel.

Along with words are the physical feelings that many times accompany our emotions. This chart (Hendricks & Hendricks,1993) is a great tool for helping patients identify the emotion that goes along with the physical feelings.

Emotion

Body Location

Possible Sensations

Sadness Throat, Chest, Belly Lump, Narrowing Pressure, Aching, Empty
Anger Back of neck, Head, Shoulders, Arms, Hands Ropes of tension, Lumps, Throbbing temples, Clenched Jaw, Drawn in Tight, Blocky, Held Back, Curled
Fear Belly Area, Head, Face, Throat Butterflies, Fluttering, Clutching, Heavy Ball Dizziness, Shortness of Breath, Tension around Eyes and Mouth, Mouth Dry
Sexual Feelings Genitals, Lower Belly, Front of Body Streaming, Fullness, Good Achy, Warmth
Joy Chest Area, Eyes, Front of Body Spacious, Expansive, Glowing, Clarity, Bubbling, Giggly Inside

 

Here is a word list to help clients better describe the emotions they are feeling:

Happy:

Good:  Confused: Helpless Positive: Angry: Indifferent: Depressed:

Afraid:

Joyous

Calm Upset Incapable Eager Upset Insensitive Diminished

Fearful

Lucky

Peaceful Doubtful Alone Intent Annoyed Dull Sulky

Terrified

Fortunate

At Ease Indecisive Paralyzed Determined Disappointed Nonchalant Guilty

Suspicious

Delighted

Pleased Perplexed Fatigued Inspired Discouraged Neutral Dissatisfied

Anxious

Overjoyed

Encouraged Embarrassed Useless Reassured Bitter Reserved Miserable

Alarmed

Thankful

Surprised Hesitant Inferior Infuriated Powerless Weary Detestable

Panic

Important

Excited Disillusioned Vulnerable Anxious Ashamed Bored Despicable

Nervous

Ecstatic

Certain

Unbelieving Empty Enthusiastic A Sense of Loss Preoccupied In Despair

Scared

Jubilant

Relaxed

Skeptical Forced Brave   Provoked Cold

Worried

Blessed

Distrustful Hesitant Challenged Irritated Disinterested

Frightened

Misgiving

Despair Optimistic Lousy Lifeless

Timid

Lost Frustrated Confident

Shaky

Unsure Distressed Hopeful

Restless

Uneasy Pathetic Strong

Doubtful

Pessimistic

Tragic

Threatened

Tense

Dominated

Cowardly

Quaking

Wary

Hurt: 

 Sad: 

Crushed

Tearful

Tormented

Sorrowful

Deprived

Pained

Pained

Grief

Tortured

Anguished

Dejected

Desolate

Rejected

Unhappy

Injured

Lonely

Offended

Mournful
Afflicted

Dismayed

Victimized

 

Aching

 

Heartbroken

 

Humiliated

 

Appalled

 

Wronged

 

Alienated

 

Each of these words can be used to better identify your patient’s emotions. Every word has a different connation and can help you get to the heart of what they are really feeling. Post emotion words on your walls so that patients see them and are able to use those words so they can better express their true emotions, and you can better respond to their emotional need.

Kim Griggs
Sparrow Solutions Group

Printable Lists found here: Emotion WordsPhysical Feelings

 

 

 

Stay updated on information that could impact you in your local PMC

Subscribe to the PMC Advisor Newsletter