crying

is, contrary to common opinion, not an act of release. In fact, as a result of crying, stress levels can rise.

Not everyone, however, agrees with him. Dr Virginia Eatough, a lecturer in psychology at Birkbeck University believes that the perceived benefits of crying are often overstated. 'I find crying clubs a puzzling phenomenon because their purpose isn't clear,' she says. 'People say they feel better after crying but scientific evidence suggests that psychologically this is not the case. For example, stress levels can rise.'

is the externalization and symbolising of psychological hurt in a physical form, allowing bodily tension to become racked up and then relaxed, giving a feeling of release.

He says: 'Tears externalise and symbolise the psychological hurt in a physical form. The physical process shares similarities with laughter, involving muscular spasms, rapid intake of breath and tears reaching a crescendo and then gradually calming. 'During this process, bodily tension is racked up and then relaxed, giving a feeling of release.'

is the transformation of distress into something tangible, and the process itself reduces the feeling of trauma.

Professor Roger Baker from Bournemouth University said that crying is the transformation of distress into something tangible, and the process itself reduces the feeling of trauma

Roger BakerThinkers

Roger Baker