Dr. Ad Vingerhoets
Crying is a typical human expression of emotion. Surprisingly, until now little scientific attention has been devoted to this phenomenon. Many textbooks on emotion fail to pay attention to it, and in scientific journals there are hardly any contributions focusing on this behavior. In contrast, there is much interest from the lay public, allowing pseudo-scientists to formulate theories that have little or no scientific basis. Is there any evidence in support of statements that crying is healthy or that not crying may result in toxification? How do people react to the crying of others? Is crying important for the diagnosis of depression, and if so, how?
Ad Vingerhoets is a psychologist who received his master's degree and doctorate at Tilburg University in the Netherlands. His research work has been devoted to “stress and emotion in relation to health.” His special interests include adult crying, the (non)expression of emotions, homesickness, nostalgia, quality of life, and suffering.

He is currently affiliated with the Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology and the Center of Research on Psychology in Somatic Diseases (CoRPS) at Tilburg University, and he also teaches physical therapists and health-care psychologists. He has worked mainly with oncology or gynaecology patients, and was involved in a project on the bonding process between parents and premature infants.

Ad has written more than 300 articles in national and international journals and books. In addition, he has edited or authored 18 books. He is a member of the editorial boards of several international journals and has held offices in international societies. He is also a member of the scientific advisory boards of several international meetings and he was the initiator and organizer of a successful series of international conferences on the (Non)expression of Emotions in Health and Disease, organized at Tilburg University.