Dubious Emotions
Undifferentiated Feeling States: These words are nonspecific and do not identify or give much information about what someone is actually feeling.
| comfortable | splendid |
| fine | uncomfortable |
| happy | unhappy |
| intense | upset |
| okay | wonderful |
Physical States or Sensations: These are descriptions of physical rather than emotional states.
| Alert | Tired |
| Fatigued | Weary |
| Heavy | Wide-awake, etc |
| Hot |
Jackal Emotions: These are not true emotions; they maintain the values and dynamics of a punishment-based system.
| Ashamed | Inadequate |
| Bad | Incompetent |
| Blamed | Right |
| Blaming | Sorry |
| Critical | Stupid |
| Good | Unimportant |
| Guilty | Worthless |
| Horrible | Wrong, etc. |
Evaluative words that are confused with emotions: These words, commonly used to describe feelings, actually mix the pure emotion with an interpretation, judgment or evaluation that implies victimization or blame – that someone or something outside ourselves is doing it to us. In this sense they foster disempowerment.
| Abandoned | Discounted | Left out |
| Abused | Disliked | Let down |
| Accepted | Distrusted | Manipulated |
| Attacked | Dumped on | Mistrusted |
| Belittled | Harassed | Misunderstood |
| Betrayed | Ignored | Mortified |
| Blamed | Inadequate | Neglected |
| Caged | Insulted | Overpowered |
| Cheated | Intimidated | Patronized |
| Cornered | Invalidated | Provoked |
| Criticized | Invisible | Put down |
| Rejected | Unheard | Unworthy |
| Ripped off | Unimportant | Used |
| Smothered | Unloved | Victimized |
| Threatened | Untrusted | |
| Tricked | Unwanted |
Susan Skye, Portland, Oregon 503-245-5735
susanskye@gmail.com nvcti.com
