Emotion: Distress

When you want to write the emotion distress, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid show; don't tell and immerse your readers in your story.

Distress is a feeling of extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain. It is a state of being upset or overwhelmed, often caused by a difficult or traumatic experience. Distress is a complex emotion that can manifest in different ways, such as feeling restless, having trouble sleeping, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, feeling hopeless or helpless, or experiencing physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. It is important for writers to understand the nuances of distress to create realistic and compelling characters that readers can empathize with.

Different Types of Distress

Here are some different types of distress:

• Physical distress (e.g. pain, illness, injury)
• Emotional distress (e.g. grief, heartbreak, anxiety, guilt)
• Financial distress (e.g. poverty, debt, job loss)
• Existential distress (e.g. feeling lost, purposeless, or disconnected)
• Relationship distress (e.g. conflicts with friends, family, or romantic partners)
• Social distress (e.g. discrimination, isolation, prejudice)
• Traumatic distress (e.g. PTSD, abuse, violence)
• Spiritual distress (e.g. questioning beliefs, feeling disconnected from a higher power)

Keep in mind that distress can manifest in many ways and may be influenced by the individual's personality, background, and current circumstances.

Situations Associated with Distress

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of distress:

• Receiving bad news or a devastating diagnosis
• Losing a loved one or experiencing a breakup
• Witnessing a traumatic event or being a victim of violence
• Facing financial struggles or job loss
• Experiencing a personal failure or setback
• Feeling overwhelmed or helpless in a difficult situation
• Being betrayed or let down by someone they trusted
• Feeling trapped or powerless in a particular circumstance
• Dealing with a chronic illness or physical pain

Physical Reactions to Distress

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing distress might have:

• Rapid breathing or shortness of breath
• Sweating or clammy skin
• Trembling or shaking
• Increased heart rate or palpitations
• Pacing or restlessness
• Crying or tearing up
• Difficulty speaking or stuttering
• Inability to sit still or fidgeting
• Clenching fists or grinding teeth
• Avoiding eye contact
• Loss of appetite or overeating
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Poor concentration or forgetfulness

Thoughts Associated with Distress

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing distress might have:

• Why is this happening to me?
• I can't believe this is happening.
• I feel so overwhelmed and helpless.
• What am I going to do?
• I can't stop crying, I feel so sad.
• I'm so scared and anxious.
• I can't focus on anything else right now.
• I feel like I'm drowning and can't escape.
• I don't know how to handle this.

Atmosphere of Distress

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of distress in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Choose a setting that is dark, cramped, or isolated to create a feeling of confinement and helplessness.
• Use weather to reflect the character's inner turmoil, for example, a stormy night or a scorching day that adds to the character's distress.
• Use sounds to create an atmosphere of tension and unease. Use the sounds of creaking floorboards, distant screams, or the ticking of a clock to build up the tension.
• Use the five senses to describe the setting and atmosphere in detail. The smell of rotting wood, the taste of stale air, and the feel of cold metal can all contribute to creating a sense of distress.
• Use lighting to create a sense of foreboding and danger. Dim lighting, flickering lights, or shadows can all contribute to the feeling of distress.
• Use the setting to create a sense of disorientation and confusion. For example, a maze-like building or a shifting landscape can create a sense of being lost and helpless.
• Use the presence of other characters to create a sense of danger or threat. The character's distress can be heightened if they are surrounded by people who are unsympathetic or hostile.

Remember, these are just a few ways to mirror the emotion of Distress with the settings or atmosphere of a scene. Feel free to experiment and find what works best for your story and characters.

Verbs Associated with Distress

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of distress:

• Tremble
• Shiver
• Quiver
• Sob
• Wail
• Weep
• Panic
• Despair
• Scream
• Screech
• Whimper
• Moan
• Cry out
• Clench
• Huddle
• Rock
• Curl up
• Collapse
• Crumple
• Shake
• Twitch
• Convulse
• Hyperventilate
• Quake
• Flinch
• Recoil

Emotions Before Distress

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences distress:

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Apprehension
• Confusion
• Frustration
• Sadness
• Anger
• Shame
• Guilt

Emotions After Distress

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences distress:

• Anger
• Fear
• Sadness
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Guilt
• Shame
• Despair
• Hopelessness
• Resentment
• Bitterness
• Apathy
• Numbness
• Disillusionment
• Betrayal
• Abandonment
• Helplessness
• Powerlessness
• Vulnerability
• Paranoia
• Hysteria
• Panic
• Trauma

Telling Distress Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion distress in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She was feeling distressed about the situation.
• He couldn't help but feel distressed by the news.
• The distress she felt was overwhelming.
• His distress was palpable as he recounted the events of the day.
• She tried to hide her distress, but it was written all over her face.
• The distress they caused him was unforgivable.
• He felt a deep sense of distress that he couldn't shake.
• Her distress was evident in her trembling hands and tear-streaked face.
• He was in a state of distress that he couldn't articulate.

Practical Examples of Showing Distress

Here are some examples of showing distress in a sentence:

• She clutched her chest as if trying to calm her racing heart.
• Tears streamed down her face as she struggled to find the right words.
• He paced back and forth, muttering under his breath.
• Her voice trembled as she spoke, betraying her inner turmoil.

Exercises for Showing Distress

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing distress:

• Write a scene where the character receives devastating news
• Describe the physical sensations the character experiences when they are distressed (e.g. racing heart, shaking hands, tears)
• Write a monologue where the character confesses their fears and worries
• Describe the environment surrounding the character when they are distressed (e.g. dark and stormy night, crowded city street)
• Write a scene where the character tries to hide their distress from others
• Explore the character's past experiences that may have contributed to their tendency towards distress
• Write a letter from the distressed character to someone they trust
• Describe the character's body language when they are distressed (e.g. hunching over, biting nails, avoiding eye contact)
• Write a scene where the character seeks comfort or support from someone else

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full list of emotions.