An Affect (n.) is a composite phenomenon. It is not just a physical reaction, but is closely connected with ideas, which in turn are closely connected with bodily reactions, affects, ands sensations.
An Affect (n.) is a so-called 'unconscious emotion' (such as feelings of guilt) which stand in 'strangulated' opposition to 'idea', hence the need for verbalization.
Affect (n.) is not a representational sign (because affects are never repressed)... rather, it is a somatic conversion that continually shifts the ground of ( psychic) interpretation.
Affect (n.) is opposed to idea. The affective is opposed to the intellectual.
An Affect (n.) is synonymous with feeling, which is the qualitative expression of a quantitative energy.