FEAR THESAURUS

CERTAIN EMOTIONS



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HELPFUL TIP:

A deeply embedded fear often stems from trauma, so it can be helpful to explore emotional wounds that may be a factor. Your character might also become risk-averse, which can create problems in their relationships and limit their fulfillment. And for a character to achieve their story goal, they must overcome any fear-based thinking that's holding them back. The Character Builder is a great resource for pulling all these factors together.
NOTES:
Not all people are comfortable experiencing a full range of emotions. This could be from not being able to exhibit a feeling as a child, cultural dynamics, or a wounding event they're trying to avoid. Regardless of the cause, a character with this fear will be emotionally stunted and may have difficulty fully relating to others.

WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE:
Seeming to have their act together and be in control
Meticulously planning so they know what to expect from any situation 
Sticking to a safe routine
Only socializing in large groups (to avoid deep connections)
Refusing to talk about their past
Overcompensating to appear emotionally strong
Avoiding events where the emotion might arise
Being watchful for triggers (people, places, situations, etc.) that could cause them to feel things they don't want to
Faking the expected responses 
Steering conversations away from topics that could lead to uncomfortable emotions
Avoiding melodrama and overly dramatic people
Trying to appear carefree 
Keeping conversations more surface-level, and moving on if they get intense
Avoiding change
Showing discomfort when the emotion arises or is present in others
Leaving the room when the emotion comes on
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COMMON INTERNAL STRUGGLES:
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FLAWS THAT MAY EMERGE:
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HINDRANCES AND DISRUPTIONS TO THE CHARACTER'S LIFE:
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EMOTIONAL WOUNDS IT COULD STEM FROM:
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SCENARIOS THAT MIGHT AWAKEN THIS FEAR :
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HUMAN NEEDS THAT COULD BE IMPACTED:
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GOALS MADE DIFFICULT BY THIS FEAR:
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CONFLICT SCENARIOS THAT OFFER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES:
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HOW THE CHARACTER CAN MINIMIZE OR OVERCOME IT:
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