Secrets and Relationships: How to Reveal a Secret That May Cause Pain

Experts Say Ruminating Can Lead to Illness and the Urge to Tell

Updated Jan. 28, 2014 2:33 p.m. ET

Can you keep a secret?

Of course you can—if it's about yourself. Communication researchers say nearly everyone—more than 95% of people—reports having a fact or bit of information about themselves that they don't reveal to anyone. (The other 5% probably aren't being honest when they say they don't have one, experts say.) And many struggle with whether, when and how to tell.

Most of these secrets aren't worthy of tabloid...

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