Don’t laugh; I sometimes miss the crying!

Posted by Patti Walsh @pattisnag, 1 day ago

Do you folks taking a lot of antidepressants find that they’re unable to cry anymore? I used to cry all the time when my depression was bad, and I don’t miss that, but sometimes a good old fashioned cry feels ok and cleansing. I couldn’t summon up tears at my mom’s funeral a few years ago and I felt like a creep….

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

I’m not on anything for depression but I do notice that as I ages I no longer am able to summon up those cleansing tears. Funerals are another story, but I used to cry over any thing that happened or bothered me. Maybe that stuff just doesn’t seem to bother me the way it used to.

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So maybe we just have a certain amount of tears to shed in our lifetime- hmmm, interesting. I’ve certainly met my quota then!

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I've always been a very emotional guy, and I tend to internalize a lot.

After having a stroke, nearly six years ago, my emotions "seep" out more readily.

The first year or so, I would laugh, cry, or get angry very, very quickly. That subsided, but I still laugh or cry pretty readily. I try not to be too grouchy too often, but I'm 66 years old now, and there are just times...

Anyway, when I need an emotional release, I have a specific method. I look at a photo of a dog I had who died far too young; I play "The Lark Ascending" by Vaughan Williams and imagine her doggie soul flying up to heaven ... and the tears flow.

For more examples, see my YouTube channel. During my talk at TCU, I had the whole room in tears at a couple points. http://www.youtube.com/@srlucado/videos

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I take an anti-depressant also but if something awful happens, I cry.
It does relieve tension; that is for sure, so do what feels right at the time
for you.
I always worried about myself growing up because I never cried at movies......
still don't.....& still wonder why, but don't fret about it= age & wisdom?? K

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@kayraymat

I take an anti-depressant also but if something awful happens, I cry.
It does relieve tension; that is for sure, so do what feels right at the time
for you.
I always worried about myself growing up because I never cried at movies......
still don't.....& still wonder why, but don't fret about it= age & wisdom?? K

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Ok well now that I’m thinking about it, I did cry at an awful meeting I had with my executive director who piled a bunch of complaints on me that I hadn’t been aware of. It was one of those shock and awe moments I wasn’t prepared for- I really DID NOT want to cry but man I balled right in front of her. My happy pills failed me there….

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@pattisnag I believe what you have described is a side effect of some antidepressants. For instance, when I was prescribed Paxil (paroxetine) I felt that my emotional responses were sort of diminished. I did not feel much joy and I also did not feel sad and or moved to tears as I had prior to taking Paxil. When I went off Paxil I felt this range of emotions return. Is this what you mean?

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Mostly an inability to cry - I have to be really pushed over the edge to shed tears I guess. I do feel joy luckily - not that manic stuff but happiness!

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@pattisnag

Ok well now that I’m thinking about it, I did cry at an awful meeting I had with my executive director who piled a bunch of complaints on me that I hadn’t been aware of. It was one of those shock and awe moments I wasn’t prepared for- I really DID NOT want to cry but man I balled right in front of her. My happy pills failed me there….

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Good for you.
We don't have to pretend to be like men with their
"don't cry" act.
We can feel things deeply & that is what makes us
good managers according to statistics.
I am wondering about "her" response to your response???

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