Dimensions of emotions and sensations

[Lorenzo]

Feelings take many forms. They can be experienced primarily as emotions, as physical sensations, or, most often, as a combination of the two. Examples of primary emotions include sadness, anger, joy, shame, and discouragement. Examples of physical sensations include queasiness, headaches, muscle tensions, and chills. Physical and emotional feelings often go together. For example, when we feel sad, we sometimes lose our appetite, feel tired and heavy, and have no sexual desires. When we feel happy, we may feel buoyant, relaxed and alert.



reference: Principles and Techniques of Psychiatric Counseling and Psychotherapy

[Lorenzo]

Feelings can be overt or covert or a combination of the two. Overt feelings are evident to other people through either words or nonverbal clues.For example, a person can express anger by saying, "you make me really mad when you do that, " or by scowling, shouting, or making an obscene gesture.

Covert feelings are concealed. Sometimes when we attend a social event or go into a situation such as a dissertation defense where we believe others will judge us, we experience anxiety, and tension. However, we often hide those feelings so we can make a positive impression. Fear of rejection and disapproval, shame about our feelings, and lack of awareness of our emotions may lead s to conceal or even deny our feelings.

Feelings may be both overt and covert-- for example, when we share only a part of our feelings. Before a final examination begins, nearly everyone feels apprehension and anxiety. However, some students conceal the enormity of their feelings so that they do not seem more fearful than most of the others.