Do you cry easily? How do you stop the tears?

[Lamb]

I had a consultation with a therapist today.

I get very upset when I'm not able to articulate myself clearly, especially around strangers. I get choked up, can't think of a word and just overall come down very hard on myself.

The therapist asked me a simple question about a topic that is the main cause of my having social anxiety for so many years. "How does that make you feel?"

Sure enough, I start tearing up! I'm an easy crybaby, which didn't use to be the case a couple of years ago. I could control that emotion quite well. The topic just makes me so touchy and sensitive.

So tell me, what are some ways you stop yourself from crying when you feel tears on the verge?

 

[chibiXphantom]

im a total crybaby. tears are really difficult for me to hold back, and its always hard for me to stop crying once i start.
but what helps sometimes is just closing my eyes, taking a deep breath, and trying to clear my thoughts. sometimes i bite my lips or clench my fists tight. sometimes while taking a deep breath. it can help

 

[BlueDays]

I don't stop myself from crying. I think our bodies make it happen for a good reason. I always feel so much better after crying. I often feel so sorry for the men who have to hold it in because they were raised to believe that it is not "manly" to ever cry.

Let it out. Nature created crying for a reason.

 

[Lamb]

I don't stop myself from crying. I think our bodies make it happen for a good reason. I always feel so much better after crying. I often feel so sorry for the men who have to hold it in because they were raised to believe that it is not "manly" to ever cry.

Let it out. Nature created crying for a reason.

That'd be fine and dandy if I didn't turn all puffy, red and stuffed. I cry so much already. lol Also, I was raised similarly although I'm a female.

 

[BlueDays]

That'd be fine and dandy if I didn't turn all puffy, red and stuffed. I cry so much already. lol Also, I was raised similarly although I'm a female.

oh. The you are facing a dilemma.:sad:

When when I was younger, and I did not want to cry, I tried to count something to take my mind off whatever was making me cry.
If I was in a movie theatre watching a sad movie I would count all of the chair backs in front of me etc.
If you are in your counselling room, could you look down at the floor coverings and count the tiles, or if it's carpet could you count the patterns or loops in the carpet material etc?

 

[hidwell]

I don't stop myself from crying. I think our bodies make it happen for a good reason. I always feel so much better after crying. I often feel so sorry for the men who have to hold it in because they were raised to believe that it is not "manly" to ever cry.

Let it out. Nature created crying for a reason.

:crying: that's better,:bigsmile:

 

[IntheLabyrinth]

I used to cry almost every night many years ago but it was always by myself, but then one day all the tears just all dried up. Now I can hardly cry even if I want to. If I could cry every once in a while, I definitely would because I usually felt pretty good afterwards. Somehow the only emotion I tend to have now is fear; Otherwise, I am pretty stoic, which really sucks.

This long winded rant about myself doesn't answer the question of how to stop, but I don't really think there is an off switch when you on the verge. When I used to cry due to my self-pity, I could only stop if I was at work, and then it was only long enough for me to find a place where I could be alone.

 

[BlueDays]

:crying: that's better,:bigsmile:

mg:














:bigsmile:

 

[Lamb]

I used to cry almost every night many years ago but it was always by myself, but then one day all the tears just all dried up. Now I can hardly cry even if I want to. If I could cry every once in a while, I definitely would because I usually felt pretty good afterwards. Somehow the only emotion I tend to have now is fear; Otherwise, I am pretty stoic, which really sucks.

This long winded rant about myself doesn't answer the question of how to stop, but I don't really think there is an off switch when you on the verge. When I used to cry due to my self-pity, I could only stop if I was at work, and then it was only long enough for me to find a place where I could be alone.

Not a long winded rant at all.
I've cried a couple of times at the workplace, the last place I want to show vulnerability. I too had to retreat to the bathroom or an empty room. Let's swap!


Bluedays, I have the feeling I'll lose my train of thought if I start counting. I'll give it a shot though, thank you. Has anyone ever tried a rubberband? xD I use to bite my lower lip, which slightly helped.

 

[ImNotMyIllness]

I wish I could cry about my situation. I don't think I like myself enough too though.

 

[jaim38]

I am a sensitive person so I get hurt easily.

Whether I cry or not depends on my environment. If I'm in a public area, I will stifle my tears and maybe run to the nearest bathroom or staircase to clean myself up. I stop myself from crying by telling myself that it's embarassing to do so in front of other people. Plus other people may think I'm weak and will harass me even more. If I'm alone, it's easier for me to let out of tears.

 

[ImNotMyIllness]

I do get very teary eyed while watching sad love movies. I really hate when that happens. I have to use every fiber of my body to stop going into a full on ball. LOL

 

[PGT]

Originally Posted by BlueDays View Post
I don't stop myself from crying. I think our bodies make it happen for a good reason. I always feel so much better after crying. I often feel so sorry for the men who have to hold it in because they were raised to believe that it is not "manly" to ever cry.
Let it out. Nature created crying for a reason.

I agree with this.

I am a man and i never let anyone see me cry. I try not to let my feelings show at all even when i am feeling very low the people who know me cannot see a problem. Every now and then things will get on top of me and it gets to a point that i can't hold it back anymore and i will go somewhere quiet and let it out. I always feels so pathetic and weak when i cry but also feel so much better after.

 

[WishingICould]

I cried in front of my boss. Beat that. :shyness: Seriously though, i think part of it is frustration and, for me anyway, crying is a way of letting it out. People with SA find it hard to express themselves and you can only bottle things up for so long before you need to let it out in some way.