List of human emotions and feelings

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I put this list of emotions/feelings together some years ago for use in my counselling sessions.

I was aware that men in particular (though of course not exclusively) were often struggling to articulate their feelings. I thought it would help to give them a list of human emotions and feelings. It did not last long!

Women - on a continuum - are generally more able to identify and talk about their feelings than men. (Women also have a better memory for emotionally laden material.) On the whole, in my counselling experience I have noticed that men find it harder to express their feelings.

Of course, I learned over time that not infrequently roles are switched. My list of feelings could be as useful for working with women, as it is for counselling men.

Prof. Simon Baron Cohen, in his book The Essential Difference, talks about 'empathising' brains and 'systemising' brains, with men more likely to have systemising brains and women empathising brains. The 'emphasisers' are more 'in touch' with their feelings.

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Why this list of emotions and feelings?

I found this list of human emotions useful at a time I adhered to what was suggested during counselling training: people should express their feelings to help them to get better. Clients were in danger of being considered to be somehow 'deficient' - for want of a better word - if they were unable to identify their feelings.

As a counsellor you were expected to listen out for, identify and 'sit with' feelings - that was all people would need to be on the way to recovery, it was suggested. I still think this is helpful - for some people in some situations, some of the time.

However - I have found through experience that very often more is needed to help people move on from where they are stuck. They may have done the feelings bit too much already! I focus much less on feelings now that I am using the human givens approach to therapy. I don't use this list of human emotions anymore.

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List of emotions and feelings

UNEASY	ANGRY	FRIGHTENED
nervous tense anxious flustered insecure angry cross confused bored flat apathetic weak surprised uncomfortable lonely discontented foolish stupid awkward silly embarrassed low envious uneasy	See: Anger Management Tips frustrated cross irritated annoyed furious livid enraged hurt inadequate trapped tired scared embarrassed used jealous overburdened put upon pissed-off miffed disgusted contempt aggrieved	uneasy weak insecure inadequate tense anxious nervous scared petrified threatened trapped used despairing miserable lonely shocked terrified ashamed See also: Top 10 phobias Adrenal fatigue symptoms
HAPPY		POSITIVE
pleased glad wonderful elated excited content surprised proud relieved satisfied confident hopeful peaceful comfortable calm relaxed warm overjoyed over the moon love grateful		determined forgiving hopeful motivated daring energetic loving eager excited receptive happy caring confident assertive hopeful strong vital
UNHAPPY	'UPSET' see also unhappy	CONFUSED
See: Signs of clinical depression hurt upset lonely miserable bereft despairing devastated lost down depressed low grief sad rejected	angry frustrated sad tearful hurt miserable weepy irritated shame regretful © Elly Prior	hurt upset lonely inadequate cross miserable shocked mixed-up nervous scared discontented foolish stupid jealous amazed baffled surpris

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