Emotional Intelligence | Stevehein.com

Common Negative/Painful Feelings

See also long list of more feeling words

 

Note from Steve - Since I created this list I have decided it is more useful to think of these feelings as painful rather than "negative." This is the basis for my approach to improving out lives and mental health as I explain in my writing on what I call the Hein Painful Emotions Technique.

Dignity/
Respect/Self-Worth

Ashamed
Beaten down
Cut down
Criticized
Dehumanized
Disrespected
Embarrassed
Humiliated
Inferior
Insulted
Invalidated
Labeled
Lectured to
Mocked
Offended
Put down
Resentful
Ridiculed
Stereotyped
Teased
Underestimated
Worthless


Freedom/Control

Bossed around
Controlled
Imposed upon
Imprisoned
Inhibited
Invaded
Forced
Manipulated
Obligated
Over-controlled
Over-ruled
Powerless
Pressured
Restricted
Suffocated
Trapped

Love/Connection/
Importance

Abandoned
Alone
Brushed off
Confused
Disapproved of
Discouraged
Ignored
Insignificant
Invisible
Left out
Lonely
Misunderstood
Neglected
Rejected
Uncared about
Unheard
Unknown
Unimportant
Uninformed
Unloved
Unsupported
Unwanted


Justice/Truth

Accused
Blamed
Cheated
Disbelieved
Falsely accused
Guilt-tripped
Interrogated
Judged
Lied about
Lied to
Misled
Punished
Robbed


Safety

Abused
Afraid
Attacked
Defensive
Frightened
Insecure
Intimidated
Over-protected
Scared
Terrified
Threatened
Under-protected
Unsafe
Violated


Trust

Cynical
Guarded
Skeptical
Suspicious
Untrusted
Untrusting

 

Main Page on Emotions and Managing Negative Feelings


Using This List to Help Someone Else

It can be very helpful to show this list to someone. Then ask them to discuss or explain each feeling which applies to them. This can lead to a plan to address each negative feeling and its causes and possible solutions.

In the section on teen suicide there are examples of how this list can be used with teenagers.