How to deal with crying spells.?

Question

I have depression and I've had it for years. Occasionally, I will have a crying spell here and there.

At home, it's no problem. I just let it all out.

When in public and I feel one coming on, do I just hold it in? And when I do get home, is it healthy to let the crying spell out or hold it in?

For those who have had depression or currently have it, can you suggest anything that you've tried and found helpful?

NOTE: Yes I am under a doctor's supervision taking meds.

Answer 1

It is much better to cry and get it all out while you are at home but there is no need to hold it in at the comfort of your own house.  Maybe if you stop compressing your feelings and you start releasing the steam valve more often it won't build up so pressurized when your out.

Answer 2

Just try to think about ridiculous, hilarious things.

I can't stop myself when I am crying, but when I start feeling down I distract myself.

I do not know your sense of humor obviously, but movies that help me:

SENSELESS (Marlon Wayans), CONSPIRACY THEORY (Julia Roberts and Mel Gibson), there are scenes there that always bring a smile to my face.

I wish for you that you kick this depressions ***!

Edit: what also helps me is trying to find out why exactly I feel sad (can sometimes be a very long list) and then trying to find a solution to these problems. It can really give me energy.

Answer 3

I try to keep myself busy.  Exercise I hate it but it always makes me feel better.

Answer 4

Its always a good thing to cry, its one of our natural reaction and there's always a good reason for every of our natural reaction. Even me myself as a guy, I have to admit that crying makes things feels so much better after wards.

While not to say its a crime or anything, I do think that crying is something we should do in private, or even the the company of someone close to us, but should be avoided in public. It attracts alot of unnecessary attention when you do that

You don't need those attention, it'll only make things worse for your depression.

Its good to let it all out when you get home, if you still feel that way by then. Crying does no harm

Answer 5

Hello Sweetie,

  I am so sorry you are going through so much!!  I know how I feel when I feel rejected and I know with your triggers and everything you go through is a hundred times worse.  I think you are a wonderful person and you deserve only happinesss.  I will pray for you and that God will bless you and help you with everything you go through.

mustangs

Answer 6

i have anxiety and i know there 2 totally different things but my psychiatrist said that u should never stop your self from crying, but i guess when ur in public its hard but u have to try distract yourself with anything else like listen to music that make u happy on your ipod

Answer 7

i was having troubles with crying too once, i went to my herbalist/natropath and she gave me some drops to take for when i felt teary and not coping  it really worked, it was called pulsatilla.

Answer 8

Don't fight it. It's your body's reaction to a deeper suffering.

I was very moved by lots of the answers you received and wish everybody all the very best if they are also suffering.

45 years ago today my 12 year old sister was bitten by a rabid dog and  after weeks of awful pain she finally died.  I was with her till the very end and was so shaken that I dropped out of University for a year and dedicated myself to endless hours of work. I often think of her and my eyes invariably cloud over. There is nothing to be ashamed of.

Take heart, look at the bigger picture and think that whoever you lost is in a better place and whatever you lost is only a minute speck in your life.

Professionally, I can only tell you that you will conquer your depression when you have overcome the core of what is troubling you.

My very best wishes

Answer 9

Adjusting antidepressant medication is tricky and requires a very good, experienced physician and a savvy patient - which I know you are.  

I hope you and your doctor are working on dosages and different meds for the best control of this problem.

Endogenous depression is a serious and most uncomfortable illness.  My 18 year old son had this and tried to fight it himself - telling no one.  He decided to end the suffering by ending his life 3 days before his 19th birthday.  That was 2 years ago, and I have crying spells thinking about that - sometimes coming on when I'm in public.  I quickly think of something else - anything to divert my mind until I can get to a better place to let it out.

What works for me is to quickly start thinking of things that I'm grateful for.  I can think of a long "gratitude list" - all the time I had with my son while he was alive, the fact that he is no longer suffering the pain of chronic depression, etc.

You are not alone with these feelings.  There are millions who suffer with this.  Please take care of yourself.