Feelings Chart
According to Pia Mellody's Facing Codependency**
Thoughts
- the brain assigning meaning to incoming data
Feelings
- the physiological response to a chemical reaction in the brain
Emotions
- the name the brain assigns to that physiological response
Behavior
- what we choose to do or not do as a result of our feelings
Thus, our feelings are created (and controlled) by our thoughts (our brain). And our behavior is created by our emotions.
| Feeling | Gift | Legacy of abuse |
|---|---|---|
| Joy | Hope / Peace | |
| Pain | Change / Growth / Healing | Hopelessness / Depression |
| Anger | Energy / Power | Rage |
| Fear | Protection / Wisdom | Panic / Paranoia |
| Guilt | Values / Integrity | False Guilt / Prolonged Guilt |
| Shame | Accountability / Fallibility (Limits) | Carried Shame / Shame Bound / Drop in self-worth |