Physical abandonment is having been left alone, left behind or deserted (this is the type of abandonment that we most often see in childhood). Emotional abandonment is having been given up on, withdrawn from, separated from or emotionally deserted. A feeling of being “left behind” in a non-physical form. This can also apply to financial abandonment.

Examples

The baby felt abandoned when her mother left her at daycare.

She felt abandoned by him when he wouldn’t talk about their marital troubles.

The college student felt abandoned when his parents stopped paying his tuition.

A strong displeasure and hostility, usually aroused by a real or supposed wrong. Anger can be generated when we feel threatened, or as a cover-up when we are hurt, afraid or in denial.

Examples

Just seeing his face makes me angry.

I could feel the anger growing as he continued to interrupt me.

Feeling that something is wrong but not knowing what it is. A generalised uneasiness or foreboding; a fear of the unknown; fear without a subject.

Example

She feels anxious and fearful all the time for no apparent reason.

To feel betrayed is to have your trust broken, to be deserted or hurt by a trusted one. Betrayal of another is to be unfaithful in guarding or fulfilling a trust; to be disloyal or violate a confidence, to desert someone who trusts you. Betrayal of yourself is to violate integrity; act against your morals; to abuse your own body or soul.

Examples

I felt betrayed when I found out he lied to me.

She felt the betrayal she had perpetrated against her friend, and trapped that emotion in her own body.

He stole the money and felt deeply the betrayal of his own conscience.

A harsh, disagreeable or cynical attitude. Feeling angry or resentful because of hurtful or unfair experiences.

Examples

Bitterness crept through her as she dwelled on his words.

Being blamed is to be held responsible; accused; or held guilty for something (actual guilt notwithstanding). Blaming another is to hold responsible; to accuse; find fault with. Putting responsibility on someone or something else to avoid taking responsibility yourself. Blaming the self is finding fault with oneself, which can lead to the creation of emotions of self-abuse, depression, etc.

Examples

She felt that everyone blamed her for her husband’s actions.

I was overwhelmed with the need to blame my sister for the situation, and wasn’t willing to admit it was both of our faults.

He felt that he was to blame for everything bad that had ever happened to his family.

Internal conflict is a mental and emotional struggle within the self, arising from opposing demands or impulses. External conflict is to fight, to disagree or be disagreeable, to struggle or battle against or to antagonize.

Examples

He felt conflicted about whether or not to take the new job.

She and her ex-husband experience continual conflict over the custody of their children.

Feeling disoriented or foggy. Unsure of the options. A lack of distinctness or clearness. Feeling perplexed or bewildered.

Examples

No matter how many times he reviewed his course options, he remained confused.

Feeling unsafe or untrusting the self about the creation or development of anything, including relationships, family, health, money, career and/or artistic endeavours. A feeling of insecurity that arises and blocks the creative process.

Example

Her writer’s block was definitely being caused by creative insecurity.

Refers to the act of expressing grief. A response to pain or suffering that includes a welling up of emotion, often creating a physical sensation in the throat, chest and/or diaphragm. A response to helplessness. Often becomes trapped when one does not allow him/herself to cry.

Examples

He acted brave in front of the children, but he was crying on the inside.

A state of resisting attack or protecting oneself. Being sensitive to the threat of criticism or injury to one's ego. Being on guard against real or imagined threats to one's person, physical and/or emotional.

Example

I tried to offer feedback but my daughter became defensive and left the room.

A state often caused by “anger turned inward” at the self. Inability to feel joy or excitement. A low energy, negative state caused by ongoing negative feelings.

Example

He has been suffering from depression since they divorced.

A complete loss of hope. Miserable and unable to be helped or comforted.

Example

When she lost her job, she felt despair thinking about the future.

Feeling a lack of courage, hope or confidence. Disheartened or dispirited. Losing the nerve to try or attempt something.

Example

I wanted to be a firefighter but I felt discouraged when my mother said I wouldn't pass the test.

A feeling of disapproval and loathing when good taste or moral sense is offended. A strong aversion.

Example

She felt disgusted when the thief was acquitted.

Fear of something that is about to happen. Apprehension as to something in the future, usually real but sometimes unknown.

Example

He dreaded going to the high school reunion and facing the bullies who had tormented him.

When one's work, achievement or endeavours are not accepted or recognized. When one's best effort is not considered good enough. A feeling of being unappreciated. Not feeling approved of or validated.

Example

I worked extra unpaid hours to achieve our deadline and I felt unappreciated when my effort went unreceived.

When one falls short of success or achievement in something expected, attempted, or desired.

Examples

She felt like a failure when their marriage ended.

He felt he had failed at supporting his family when he lost his job.

The girl was upset about her failing grade in science class.

A strongly distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil or pain; the threat may be real or imagined.

Example

The thought of moving to another country filled her with fear.

Miserable and forsaken. Sad and lonely by reason of abandonment, desolation or emptiness. A lonely sort of hopelessness.

Example

The puppy felt forlorn as his owner left for work in the morning.

Feeling exasperated, harassed or vexed. Feeling stuck or unable to progress; blocked from causing a change or achieving an objective or goal.

Example

He said he was frustrated by people's indifference and lack of interest in the work of the town council.

Suffering due to loss of a loved one, death of a dream, disaster, misfortune, etc. A universal reaction to bereavement. Can also arise from unmet expectations.

Example

The girl grieved the loss of her father.

The woman felt grief from the loss of her home after it flooded.

He was aggrieved by the terrible decisions his son made.

The feeling of having done wrong or committed an offense. Taking responsibility for the harmful actions of another (e.g., abuse, parents' divorce, death, etc.) Often accompanied by feelings of depression, shame and self-abuse.

Example

She felt guilty about lying.

To loathe or despise. Great dislike or aversion. Often comes as a result of “hurt love”. Often hatred is of a situation rather than a person (e.g. hatred of another’s behaviour, unjust circumstances, etc.) Self-hatred often creates depression, destructive behaviours, addictions and illnesses.

Example

His wife's hatred of washing dishes made the decision to buy a dishwasher an easy one.

Anguish and pain of the heart; distress usually as a result of difficulty or sadness in a relationship. Felt as a crushing or burning physical sensation in the chest.

Example

Being separated from his children caused heartache he could not describe.

Powerless or being unable to help oneself. Being without the aid or protection of another. Feeling unable to change ones circumstances or state.

Example

She felt helpless to create a change in her circumstances.

The mother felt helpless as her son cried.

Devoid of hope. Having no expectation of good. Having no remedy or cure. No prospect of change or improvement.

Example

She began to feel hopeless after applying for so many jobs but not receiving any offers.

A strong emotion of alarm, disgust, or outrage caused by something frightful or shocking (e.g. an event of extreme violence, cruelty, or macabre.)

Example

She felt horrified when she saw the car crash.

A painful loss of pride, dignity or self-respect; to feel mortified; embarrassed.

Example

I felt humiliated when I fell over in front of so many people.

An inability to choose; wavering back and forth between one choice or another. Stems from distrust of the self or doubting the ability to make a good decision.

Example

She was indecisive because neither option seemed better than the other.

A lack of confidence; self-conscious, shy. Feeling unsafe from danger or ridicule.

Example

She knew the answer to the teacher's question but insecurity stopped her from speaking.

Resentful another’s successes, achievements, or advantages; envious. Having suspicious fears of rivalry or unfaithfulness. Arises from a fear of not being loved and/or from insecurity.

Example

Although he was happy for his brother, his jealousy made him wish he had won the prize.

Lack of self-control is when one lacks restraint over their own behaviour, and may have an awareness of their own destructive tendencies or abilities. Lack of control over circumstances is a feeling of losing ground, or being unable to control or change what is happening. A feeling that someone or something else determines your course.

Example

His spending was out control; She lost control over herself and slapped him.

She had no control or sway over their decision.

He lost control of the car as it slid on the icy road.

To miss someone or something; A yearning, pining or aching for; to have a strong desire or craving; to want something you do not have.

Example

She longed for a different life.

He felt a deep longing for her while she was deployed overseas.

Unable to see the correct or acceptable course; having no direction. Physically lost most often shows up from childhood. Emotionally lost refers to a feeling of being unable to see the right decision or direction, being unable to find emotional stability.

Example

The boy was lost and couldn’t find his way home.

He felt lost after his wife died.

A feeling that one’s love has been rejected. Feeling unwanted, not cared for; not accepted; a lack of love where it is desired.

Example

She had a crush on him but he didn’t know she was alive, so her love went unreceived.

He tried to love his mother, but she was emotionally unavailable so his love was unreceived by her.

A low appraisal of ones own worth or value; feeling and focusing on ones flaws; holding a feeling of disrespect for the self; not confident; lack of self-love.

Example

The man was obviously flirting, but her low self-esteem made her think he was just being friendly.

Intense sexual desire or appetite; an overwhelming want or craving (e.g., lust for power); passion; to covet.

Example

His lust for power was out of control.

Unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive; fearful; timid; to feel jumpy or on edge.

Example

I always feel nervous being alone in this large house.

Intense delight or elation which is too overpowering for the body; joy that is a shock to the system.

Example

So many fortunate events happened this week that my feeling of overjoy left me stunned and breathless.

To be overpowered in mind or emotion; extreme stress; feeling overpowered with superior force; feeling excessively burdened.

Example

He felt overwhelmed by the pressure to perform well in class and on the football field.

A sudden, overwhelming fear that produces hysterical behaviour, unreasonably fearful thoughts or physical symptoms such as trembling and hyperventilation; a strong feeling of impending doom.

Example

She went into sheer panic when she couldn't find her son.

Irritated; annoyed; exasperated; irked; aggravated; ticked off.

Example

I feel so peeved that you scratched my car, I can’t stand that kind of irresponsible behaviour.

An overly high esteeming of oneself for some real or imagined merit or superiority; vanity or an excessive desire to be noticed, praised, or approved; feeling better than others; haughty; non-teachable; has to be right; expects more credit than earned; or treats others with disdain or contempt. Healthy pride (self-respect or self-esteem) is a good thing, and does not usually doesn’t show up as a trapped emotion (although it may show up if one’s healthy pride is injured).

Example

His pride was injured when she dumped him for another man.

She was a proud woman and wouldn’t allow anyone the smallest mistake.

Feeling denied, refused or rebuffed; discarded as useless or unimportant; cast out; unwanted; forsaken.

Example

The boy rejected the girl's attempt at friendship.

A feeling of displeasure or indignation at someone or something regarded as the cause of injury or insult; bitter for having been treated unfairly; unwilling to forgive. Often this emotion comes along with animosity— ill-will that displays itself in action, strong hostility or antagonism.

Example

He felt resentful of the kids because they never helped with housework.

Unhappy; sorrowful; mournful; affected by grief.

Example

He forced a smile for his friends but they could see the sadness in his eyes.

Abusing the self emotionally includes negative self-talk, blaming the self, etc. Abusing the self physically includes mistreating the body by use of addictive substances; to not care for the body by lack of sleep, proper diet or nutrition; to work beyond what one can or should endure; to punish or tax oneself excessively. This abuse may help atone for "sins", real or imagined, and usually is driven by anger.

Example

She abused herself by telling herself to stop being such an idiot all the time.

He abused his body by working too hard and not getting enough sleep.

A feeling of being wrong, defective or disreputable. The painful feeling of having done or experienced something dishonourable, improper or foolish; disgrace; humiliation; a cause for regret. The lowest vibration of all the emotions. Leads to guilt, depression and even suicide.

Example

She was ashamed of overreacting to the news.

He worried his failure would bring shame to the family.

A sudden or violent disturbance of the emotions or sensibilities; extreme surprise; to feel traumatized or stunned.

Example

Her decision was shocking.

The news of the loss shocked everyone.

A sad regret; distress caused by loss, disappointment or grief; to feel or express grief, unhappiness, or sadness.

Example

The sorrow from losing their dog still felt heavy in the household.

Being difficult; unbendable; unable or unwilling to forgive; obstinate; headstrong; resistant.

Example

We were late because my wife was too stubborn to ask for directions.

Feels treated with careless indifference; not given thanks or for something accomplished, similar to ignored. Taken advantage of.

Example

He felt taken for granted when he realised she only called to ask for favours.

Intense, sharp, overwhelming fear; extreme fright; alarm.

Example

She felt terror when she realized she was about to crash the car.

A lack of support, help or encouragement; not provided for by another; not defended when help is needed; feeling the burden is too heavy to bear alone, etc. One can also feel unsupported by their own body in cases of illness, weakness or lack of emotional or mental strength.

Example

Her ignored requests for help with the housework left her feeling unsupported in the marriage.

The toddler could not yet stand unsupported.

Not good enough; beneath the dignity of; not commendable or credible; undeserving; not valuable or suitable; unbecoming.

Example

She felt unworthy of the gentleman's attention.

Feeling susceptible to harm, either emotional or physical; unsafe; unstable.

Example

She showed great vulnerability by sharing her secrets.

Weak, spiritless; undecided; irresolute; without strength of character. To lack conviction; without a backbone

Example

Unfortunately due to her wishy-washy nature, other people easily convinced her not to pursue her dream job.

Dwelling on difficulty or troubles; unease or anxiety about a situation or a person; extreme concern over potential problems; concern about a loved one in possible distress.

Example

He was worried about his granddaughter attending University so far away from the family.

Of no importance or value; without goodness of character, quality or esteem; serving no purpose.

Example

The constant criticism of his work made him feel worthless.