The Shrink
When it comes to emotions, most of us are used to experiencing uncomfortably clashing feelings. One response is to let it go: how we feel is just how we feel, there’s no need to justify ourselves, and trying to suppress our emotions will only lead to unfortunate consequences for our health. “I don’t get angry,” as Woody Allen says in Manhattan, “I grow a tumour instead.” On the other hand, everyone will also be aware of emotions that are inappropriate or ill-fitting: being at the receiving end of someone else’s unreasonable anger, or harbouring feelings of unwarranted jealousy.
Perhaps, on reflection, most people would agree that emotions can be mistaken. Chances are, however, they would also think that even if their feelings are inappropriate, you can’t help what you feel, and that’s that. While the popularity of cognitive behavioural therapies may be spreading the word that thoughts and emotions are two sides of the same coin, and that changing one can lead to changes in the other, emotions are still commonly considered beyond assessment and beyond challenge.