acting out

Noun acting out has 2 senses

• acting out(n = noun.communication) - a (usually irritating) impulsive and uncontrollable outburst by a problem child or a neurotic adult;
is a kind of blowup, ebullition, effusion, gush, outburst

• acting out(n = noun.communication) - (psychiatry) the display of previously inhibited emotions (often in actions rather than words); considered to be healthy and therapeutic;
is a kind of display