Possibly unanswerable, trying anyway. looking for tips. how to not cry when sad?

[Freida]

Sorry kiddo -- I've got nuthin. I still need to learn to really cry - but I don't stop it from happening. It just doesn't start in the first place.
Sad you are having to deal with this though----

 

[blackemerald1]

I think that’s what I mean. I

So yeah..if this is the same kind of thing.... I can get some relief from a wet wash cloth...quite cold and as it heats up changed and repeated for hours if necessary. Laying in a dark room, no stimuli at all...preferably keeping my eyes still so closing my eyes and leaving the wash cloth on top. Obviously a towel underneath stops everything getting wet :rolleyes: Soaking my head under a tap of running cold water for several minutes. Not bending over or doing anything physical....causing more blood to run to my head (don't know how to explain it...sorry).

Fairly strong pain relief if I have been unable to stem my tears and the whole flow on effect occurs.

The whites of my eyes will go blood red if I cry. Very weird. :wideeyed: Oh yeah and I have visual disturbances...cannot read, write, sensitive to light ...but I thought that all came on from the migraine stuff...not separate. Basically I can write off 24 hours if the dam bursts so it's important to not allow that to happen.

I haven't been diagnosed with any disorder relating to crying or seizures. I cannot remember when I last cried. It does hurt and thus I avoid. I thought this was 'just me'. If I start to 'tear-up' I have to 'switch-off' that is my default action. It sounds terrible...like I have no feelings but I do...lots of feelings. I wish I could cry without the headache or migraine effect.

 

[littleoc]

I wish I could cry without the headache or migraine effect.

Me, too.

That sounds like a lot of the stuff I'm doing to deal with it. I wonder what would happen if I brought it up with a doctor. If it's a migraine, maybe a migraine-specific medication to take as needed exists that would help?

Thanks! And sorry that you have this too :(

 

[Nessa7]

I also recommend a warm or cool rag. One of the theories about why people get headaches after crying is from their facial muscles tensing up while they're crying. The rag can help soothe that.

 

[Freida]

When I would get panicky guru told me to put an ice pack on the back of my head - right where your head and spine meet. He said that is where the amygala is and if you cool it then the rest of your brain will cool also. Maybe that's an option to try? and yes - if you haven't talked to doc you should -- he may have more ideas.

 

[joeylittle]

The area of DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) called Emotional Regulation covers things like this - ways to ‘ride’ the current of an emotion without having it transform into a secondary emotion without your wanting it to, and/or how to dial intensity down.

The Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Skills Workbook - one of the authors is Matthew McKay - is a good source. But also, googling emotional regulation in general should give you some ideas.

 

[freebird]

I'm no doc, but maybe this will help ease some pain. Chinese Tiger balm, rub on all the painful areas. Drink lots of water (at least 2 liters everyday -- preferably lukewarm), stay warm and cozy (if it's not hot and sunny). Get to bed before 10pm if you can. See the doctor about some medication.

I'm so sorry @littleoc, it must be so hard to not be able to cry without pain. Sending you some peace if it helps.:hug:

 

[littleoc]

Thank you :)

I will try all of that. The workbook, the cold rags, the Tiger balm, and the rest. We’ll see how it goes :)

I did try using a cold face mask and that at least felt very nice

 

[MyWillow]

Damn. Survived the week and cried my heart out last night. Splitting headache today. I can hear my neighbour working on our woodshed so think I will take him a cuppa. Although my head hurts I probably need a little company. And resting isn’t helping.

 

[littleoc]

Damn. Survived the week and cried my heart out last night. Splitting headache today. I can hear my nei...

Tell us if anything here works for you?

Sorry to hear that... :hug::hug::hug:

But very glad you survived your week. Maybe once the headache is gone, you’ll find the crying did help?

 

[MyWillow]

Thanks :)

Tried cold face cloth today, aspirin and paracetamol, no food, food, rest, all to no avail.

Now collecting fire wood. Giving thumbs up to neighbourly company and activity. Don’t feel brilliant but a bit better. Will try to pack this up for T on Tuesday.

 

[MrMoonlight]

If it's a migraine, maybe a migraine-specific medication to take as needed exists that would help?

littleoc, Imitrex (brand name) or Sumatriptan (generic) can work well to shutdown a migraine. I use two types, a tablet and auto injection. Both are used at the onset of a migraine. Maybe you could speak to you doctor about a trial prescription to see it it helps. Also there are also preventatives (anti-seizure meds) that can help if you are having migraines frequently. Other than that it's opiates for me.

Hope you find something that works for you.