Perturbation

Being thrown off balance by something unsettling.

Family Fear
Valence negative
Arousal moderate activation
Intensity Gentle
Opposite Composure

Being thrown off balance by something unsettling. The body holds this signal first, often before the mind has named what is happening.

Where perturbation lives in the body

Head
Pressure, fullness, mental load
Moderate
Chest
A faint pull
Quiet
Stomach
A gentle stir
Quiet

Related emotions

UneaseFear familyConsternationSurprise familyConfusionCognitive familyComposureThe opposite
A note on this entry: The data on this page (definition, body sensations, valence, arousal, related emotions) reflects a structured reference for perturbation. A full long-form entry is being added gradually. If you have research, a translation, or a body-mapping correction to suggest, please get in touch.