Deflated powerlessness

Powerless

Also known as impotent, incapable, stuck, weak

Strength 3 of 4

Having no say over what happens to you or around you: wanting to act, yet finding over and over that nothing you do changes it.

In the body

  • Arms and legs feeling weak
  • Hands hanging empty
  • A stuck, pinned-down feeling in the chest

Needs behind it

When these needs aren’t met

AutonomyChoiceEffectiveness

Softer and stronger

  1. Resigned
  2. Powerless

Often confused with

Helpless

Helpless is being unable to stop or protect against a threat in the moment; powerless is a lasting sense of having no say over what happens.

Hopeless

Powerless is being unable to change what is happening; hopeless is not believing it will ever get better at all.

See also

DefeatedDespairingDesperate

Faux feelings that can hide this

Oppressed