Are you reactive or irrational?
Here’s an idea for you: Humans are by nature irrational. That’s because, as
1 in 10 of us struggle to understand our emotions, and even more of us aren’t sure how to express an emotion once we experience it. Here are 35 you commonly feel.
What is an emotion? It’s hard to describe, isn’t it. According to the American Psychological Association, an emotion “a complex reaction pattern, involving experiential, behavioral and physiological elements.” But what does that really mean for us and our inner and outer world?
All emotions are thought to exist on a continuum from very pleasant to very unpleasant.
Emotions can be viewed as a process. They are how we deal with situations we find significant and impactful. It is thought that emotional experiences have three components: a subjective experience, a physiological experience and a behavioural reaction. No two people are identical and each person will process and express the same emotion differently. In some cases, the expression of difficult emotions can cause harm to an individual and those around them.
In this article, I will describe 35 common emotions we all feel and talk about how to express these in a healthy, positive way. All emotions are thought to exist on a continuum from very pleasant to very unpleasant. First we will discuss what we generally consider to be ‘pleasant emotions’. Then the ones we often perceive as negative. We will conclude by discussing the more ambiguous, complex emotions.
Emotions with positive connotations
Love
Definition: While love is hard to define, we can agree that it is an intense feeling of deep affection for a person, place or object.
Example: Jane felt deep love for her two children, but not so much for her husband Claud.
Expression:
Lust
Definition: A strong sexual desire, often directed at another person.
Example: Jane lusted after Bobby, her friend from college.
Satisfaction
Definition: The feeling of fulfillment of one’s wishes, desires or needs.
Example: Jane was satisfied with her job as a police officer.
Gratitude
Definition: Thankfulness, an expression of appreciation
Example: Jane felt gratitude for her children and career.
Amusement
Definition: Finding something or someone funny.
Example: Jane was amused by her son’s jokes.
Pride
Definition: A deep satisfaction with one’s achievements, or the achievements of others.
Example: Jane felt proud of her son’s efforts on his art project.
Excitement
Definition: A state of enthusiasm and eagerness
Example: Jane was excited about her lunch date with Bobby.
Hope
Definition: A feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen.
Example: Jane hoped that her friendly relationship with Bobby would develop into a romantic one.
Awe
Definition: A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.
Example: Jane was in awe of Bobby’s musical abilities.
Optimism
Definition: Hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of something.
Example: Jane was optimistic that Bobby might return her feelings of affection.
All of the above is a form of ‘splitting’, which we will now explore further.
Emotions with Negative Connotations
Anger
Definition: A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
Example: Claud was angry to discover Jane has been meeting Bobby in secret.
Frustration
Definition: Being annoyed or upset as a result of being unable to change or achieve something.
Example: Claud felt frustrated at not knowing what was happening between Jane and Bobby.
Fear
Definition: A feeling of threat of danger, pain, or harm.
Example: Claud was fearful that Jane might not love him anymore.
Worry
Definition: Anxiousness or concern about something that might happen
Example: Jane was worried that her husband Claud might find out about her feelings for Bobby.
Doubt
Definition: A lack of conviction and a feeling of uncertainty.
Example: Jane had doubts about her marriage.
Sorrow
Definition: Distress caused by loss, disappointment, or other misfortune.
Example: Claud was distressed to find romantic text messages from another man on Jane’s phone.
Anxiety
Definition: Being worried, tense or afraid of something.
Example: Claud was in a state of persistent anxiety over the problems in his marriage.
Stress
Definition: Overwhelmed, struggling to cope with something and feeling pressured.
Example: Claud often felt stressed with his work.
Hate
Definition: A feeling of intense dislike
Example: Jane hated it when Claud worked long hours.
Loneliness
Definition: A sadness caused by lack of company / friends / interactions.
Example: Jane felt lonely when Claud was away for work and sought company from other men.
Being able to separate, identify and deal with a range of emotions will help you to gain a better understanding of yourself and those around you.
Emotions with complex connotations
Vengeful
Definition: seeking to harm someone for perceived justice or do something as an act of revenge
Example: Claud felt vengeful when discovering his wife had been speaking to another man.
Embarrassment
Definition: Self-consciousness and awkwardness.
Example: Claud felt embarrassed by his wife’s infidelities.
Guilt
Definition: A feeling of having done something wrong and regretting it
Example: Jane felt guilty for having expressed affections towards Bobby when she had a husband at home.
Shame
Definition: a painful feeling of humiliation or distress caused by the consciousness of wrong or foolish behaviour.
Example: Jane felt deeply ashamed after sending a romantic text message to Bobby.
Ambivalence
Definition: Having mixed feelings and conflicting ideas about something.
Example: Jane was ambivalent about whether or not she should come clean to Claud about her feelings for another man.
Confusion
Definition: Uncertainty about what is happening, intended, or required.
Example: Jane was confused about how she felt.
Bitter
Definition: Feeling or showing anger, hurt, or resentment because of bad experiences or a sense of unjust treatment.
Example: Claud felt bitter after discovering Jane’s affair.
Alienation
Definition: A feeling of detachment or isolation from something
Example: Jane felt alienated from her marriage.
Astonishment
Definition: Great surprise
Example: Claud felt astonished that Jane would cheat on him.
Hopeless
Definition: Without hope / despair for the future
Example: Claud felt hopeless that his marriage could be repaired.
Baffled
Definition: Bewildered or perplexed
Example: Jane’s own behaviour baffled her.
Demoralised
Definition: Losing confidence or hope.
Example: The marital difficulties had caused both parties to feel demoralised.
Powerless
Definition: Without power or the means to change or improve a situation.
Example: Claud felt powerless to change his relationship dynamic with Jane.
Resignation
Definition: Giving up on something, accepting defeat.
Example: Jane had resigned to the idea that her marriage was unfixable.
Compassion
Definition: Sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.
Example: While angry with her, Claud felt some degree of compassion towards Jane.
As you can see, it is possible to feel a huge range of emotions in a short space of time, often many of them overlapping and interacting with one another.
Being able to separate, identify and deal with a range of emotions will help you to gain a better understanding of yourself and those around you. Individual psychotherapy and couples therapy can help to facilitate this process.
Related therapy services
In doubt? Get a free 15-minute call
Product Short Description All your questions about therapy answered! Book your free 15-minute phone-call, so you get the
Free
Chat therapy – weekly subscription
Sometimes, a situation doesn't merit a full session, but you could be in the process and need me
499 kr. / week
60 minute session
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
From: 1.199 kr.
Related articles
Dealing with difficult emotions: What is psychological projection and how do I spot it?
Research suggests that 35% of people feel insecure in their romantic relationship. Could
I feel everyone ignores me
Do you ever feel like the pantomime villain? Or feel as though this