×People laughing in group therapy

Emotions are commonly viewed as a barometer indicating mental well-being or distress.

Take anger, for example. Go ballistic at the ball game (short of assaulting another fan or the officials) and you're considered within normal limits. Merely letting off steam, as we say. But pop the same top at a parent-teacher conference or the company sales meeting and those nearby will soon be whispering about men in white coats.

Crying is another case in kind. Weeping at funerals, weddings or tear-jerk movies won't attract wary glances, but blowing the flood gates at the bowling league or the corner bus stop is guaranteed to make inquiring minds more inquisitive.

Psychotherapists pay lots of attention to how their clients juggle feelings and take careful notice wh

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