I use this feelings wheel, created by Dr. Gloria Willcox, to assist with my alexithymia. Alexithymia means I have trouble identifying what my own emotions are.
“The Feelings Wheel” was created by Dr. Gloria Willcox.
My understanding of my own emotions is very basic. I will know when I’m sad or angry, like the innermost ring of this wheel, but I usually won’t be able to identify anything more specific than that on my own.
In those cases, I’ll pull out this wheel and work from the outside in. I’ll reach each word and put a check next to the ones that resonate with me at the moment. Perhaps “isolated,” “fragile,” and “exposed” feel right.
Once I’ve gone around the entire outermost ring, I’ll then move to the interior rings, following the words I’ve checked to see where I land.
isolated > lonely > sad
fragile > vulnerable > sad
exposed > threatened > fearful
I now have more words to use to describe my feelings and I realized that I’m not just sad, but also fearful. If this helps you, feel free to use the tool below to identify your current feelings. No information is saved.
Discover additional language that may describe how you feel within the larger seven (7) categories of human emotions. This can help you communicate with your doctors and loved ones.
The feelings you checked boxes for are classified under…
Bad
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Bored
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Indifferent
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Apathetic
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Busy
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Pressured
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Rushed
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Stressed
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Overwhelmed
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Out of Control
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Tired
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Sleepy
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Unfocused
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Fearful
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Scared
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Helpless
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Frightened
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Anxious
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Worried
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Insecure
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Inadequate
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Inferior
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Weak
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Worthless
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Insignificant
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Rejected
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Excluded
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Persecuted
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Threatened
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Nervous
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Exposed
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Angry
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Let Down
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Betrayed
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Disrespected
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Humiliated
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Ridiculed
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Bitter
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Indignant
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Violated
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Mad
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Furious
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Jealous
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Aggressive
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Provoked
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Hostile
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Frustrated
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Infuriated
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Annoyed
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Distant
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Withdrawn
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Numb
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Critical
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Skeptical
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Dismissive
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Disgusted
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Disapproving
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Judgemental
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Embarrassed
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Disappointed
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Appalled
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Revolted
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Awful
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Nauseated
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Detestable
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Repelled
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Horrified
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Hesitant
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Sad
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Hurt
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Depressed
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Empty
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Guilty
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Remorseful
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Ashamed
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Despair
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Powerless
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Grief
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Vulnerable
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Fragile
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Victimized
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Lonely
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Abandoned
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Isolated
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Happy
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Optimistic
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Inspired
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Hopeful
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Trusting
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Intimate
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Sensitive
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Peaceful
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Loving
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Thankful
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Powerful
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Creative
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Courageous
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Accepted
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Respected
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Valued
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Proud
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Successful
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Confident
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Interested
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Curious
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Inquisitive
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Content
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Free
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Joyful
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Playful
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Aroused
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Cheeky
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Surprised
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Excited
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Energetic
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Eager
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Amazed
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Awe
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Astonished
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Confused
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Disillusioned
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Startled
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Shocked
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
Dismayed
—Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
I use this feelings wheel, created by Dr. Gloria Willcox, to assist with my alexithymia. Alexithymia means I have trouble identifying what my own emotions are.
"The Feelings Wheel" was created by Dr. Gloria Willcox.
My understanding of my own emotions is very basic. I will know when I'm sad or angry, like the innermost ring of this wheel, but I usually won't be able to identify anything more specific than that on my own.
In those cases, I'll pull out this wheel and work from the outside in. I'll reach each word and put a check next to the ones that resonate with me at the moment. Perhaps "isolated," "fragile," and "exposed" feel right.
Once I've gone around the entire outermost ring, I'll then move to the interior rings, following the words I've checked to see where I land.
isolated > lonely > sad
fragile > vulnerable > sad
exposed > threatened > fearful
I now have more words to use to describe my feelings and I realized that I'm not just sad, but also fearful. If this helps you, feel free to use the tool below to identify your current feelings. No information is saved.
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