In Isabella’s case, as in most, the stressors were not simply objective circumstances but a rash of attitudes and perceptions that both evoked and magnified the stresses of her situation. Consider, for example, her inhibitions in dealing with her emotions of fear and resentment toward her husband. Where she believed he was “controlling,” she had never asserted her desire for financial equality and partnership in the marriage. Where she doubted his sexual orientation, she had kept her concerns secret for fear of rocking the boat. Where she craved freedom to pursue her art, she allowed herself
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