The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression arrived in my mailbox today. I unwrapped the package over my desk. The book fell out and opened to the Dread page. Mmm. We've been talking about this emotion since I published a Dread article on this blog.
So, I thought it might be helpful for you to discover and see how some of these dread descriptions might relate to you.
Since an excerpt is one and a half pages out of the 167-page book, I believe I can honor copyright laws and share the Dread pages here.
The authors, Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are writers, not members of the mental health profession. So, these descriptions are from their perspective in terms of portraying a character who feels dread.
Dread - A a nearly overpowering fear to face or meet; a strong desire to avoid a future event or circumstance.
Physical Signals:
- holding the stomach as if pained
- clutching arms to one's chest
- shoulders curling forward, caving the chest in
- a bent neck
- leaning back or away from the source of discomfort
- dragging footsteps
- making excuses to leave
- a quiet voice, offering one-word responses
- hunched posture and drooping head
- clasping one's knees tightly together
- avoiding eye contact
- turning the torso, shielding it
- lifting the shoulders as if to hide one's neck
- sweating
- rocking slightly
- hands that tremble
- seeking the safety of darkness, an exit, etc.
- holding one's elbows tightly against sides
- a downward gaze, using the hair as a shield
- making oneself appear smaller
- huddling in the corner, behind, or against something
- flinching or cringing
- heavy footsteps
- uncontrollable whispering
- increased swallowing
- arms crossing the stomach in a protective huddle
- rubbing and twisting one's hands, spinning rings or bracelets
- scratching at the skin, picking or biting at nails
- clutching comfort items (a necklace, charm, phone, etc.)
- dragging the palms down one's pant legs
- chewing at one's lips or inner cheek and making them bleed
- a pale or sickly complexion
Internal Sensations:
- a rolling stomach
- heavy or sluggish heartbeat
- chills
- cold fingers
- tingling in the chest
- a weighted chest
- difficulty breathing
- a sour taste in the mouth
- ache in the back of the throat
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness
- shakiness in the limbs
Mental Responses:
- thoughts of escape
- wanting to hide
- wishing time would speed up
- an inability to see a positive outcome
- the need to check for danger overriding the need to hide
Cues of Acute or Long-Term Dread:
- shaking, shuddering
- jumping at sounds
- teeth chattering
- weeping
- seeking any excuse to avoid what is to come
- hyperventilating
- bargaining, pleading
- anxiety attack
- may escalate to Anguish (24), Terror (154)
Clues of Suppressed Dread:
- acting like one is simply feeling under the weather
- attempting to escape via distraction (TV, book, music)
- focusing thoughts to keep fear from taking over
- keeping still
Does this list help you bring your attention to your own physical and mental states when you are feeling dread? Does this list help stimulate your thinking and make you more aware of your feelings?
Remember, please, that this list was created by writers for writers. Still, in trying to make a fictional character seem realistic when feeling dread, the authors may have created a list that helps you be more realistic about your own real and lived experience.
Let me know what this list raises inside of you, including nothing, if that's how it is. :)
Additional Information:
"5 strategies to help you cope with a nagging feeling of dread"
Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are members of the SCBWI, The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Visit their award-winning online resource if you want to get support for your own writing projects. And thank you, Angela and Becca for your permission to post the Dread excerpt from your book.
Exploring the Neurobiology of Dread
Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Written by Joanna Poppink, MFT. Joanna is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in eating disorder recovery, stress, PTSD, and adult development.
She is licensed in CA, AZ, OR, FL, and UT. Author of the Book: Healing Your Hungry Heart: Recovering from Your Eating Disorder
Appointments are virtual.
For a free telephone consultation, e-mail her at
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