defensive -
To put oneself in a position that is intended to protect oneself.
One of the challenges of a therapist is to achieve the trust of the patient, and overcome the patient's defensive behavior.
adjective
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stickler -
Someone who is very particular or fussy about a specific thing.
She spends a lot of time cleaning the house, because she's a stickler for neatness and cleanliness.
adjective
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touchy -
Easily offended or sensitive to criticism or comments.
Be careful what you say—he’s really touchy about his artwork.
adjective
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frantic -
Wild or distraught with fear, anxiety, or other emotion
Between his two jobs and high debts, Randy was always frantic about how to deal with his life.
noun
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deadline -
A specific time or date by which something must be completed.
She worked well under pressure and always met every deadline on time.
verb
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stutter -
To speak with involuntary disruptions or repetitions of sounds, often at the beginning of words, due to a speech difficulty.
During the presentation, she began to stutter when she got nervous.
adjective
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insecure -
Lacking confidence or self-assurance; feeling unsure about oneself.
When the disease caused blotches on her face, she felt insecure whenever she was with people.
noun
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qualms -
A feeling of discomfort or uneasiness, often related to a decision.
He had qualms about accepting the job offer because it meant relocating to a city he didn't really want to live in.
noun
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tenterhooks -
Waiting nervously for something to happen.
After the weeklong trial, we were on tenterhooks waiting for the jury to give its verdict.
adjective
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temperamental -
Liable to sudden changes in mood or behavior; unpredictable in temperament.
His temperamental nature and frequent outbursts made it hard for the team to rely on him during stressful situations.
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perturbed -
Feeling unsettled, anxious, or troubled due to confusion, concern, or disruption.
She was visibly perturbed when she found out her flight had been canceled at the last minute.
adjective
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unnerving -
Disturbing or upsetting in a way that makes someone feel anxious or afraid, sometimes leading to a loss of courage, confidence, or composure.
It was an unnerving experience walking alone in the empty and unused area under the highway.
