HARROWING

adj. distressing, vexing, alarming, unnerving, frightening, terrifying, horrifying, horrible, torturous, chilling, heart-rending, nerve-racking or nerve-wracking, traumatic, agonizing, painful; disturbing, upsetting, worrying, worrisome, disconcerting, daunting, dismaying, disquieting Waiting for the rescue team to release me was a harrowing experience