Emotional Crying

[lannie]

I am frustrated with my inability to control crying brought on by heightened emotions. I don't know anyone else who acts like this. I took the online evaluation and based on my answers which were as honest as I know how to be, I am not clinically depressed. I have always cried easily but its now ridiculous. When I am trying to explain something that is important to me, or in conversation about simple things especially with my adult children, or watching something that touches my heart - a movie, a commercial, some kids doing cool or sweet things, the tears start flowing and I have trouble talking. I love to sing and love music and when it is particularly moving to me - I can't hold back the tears. I find this very frustrating and it makes my family uncomfortable because they can't figure out why I have such a strong reaction resulting in tears. It is like my normal emotions go into hyper overdrive. I don't feel sad and many times I am actually ambivalent or happy when it happens. I would like to develop some coping skills to control this. One time I was waiting picking up a child for a dentist appointment at the schools office - not talking to anyone just reading a calendar of events on a bulletin board and got this overwhelming rush of emotion and the tears erupted. I ran to the car and flipped down the visor mirror and looking at my reflection, said out loud "Who are you?". When these moments occur, I hate it and feel self conscious which seems to complicate the situation. I don't sit in my room and sob for hours. Just these brief, annoying occurrences. I talked to my dr. about it and he put me on anti-depressents but it didn't have any affect. My Dr. gave me something like busparin (sp??) for anxiety when I was attending a Senior Graduation Dinner to honor a daughter and I didn't cry for once. I was like a zombie and have to really concentrate just to remember what went on that night. Not a good feeling but at least I didn't embarrass myself by crying when she got her special recognition. Is there anything I can do to curb this or stop it?

[Jennifer]

Hello:
You mentioned that you are post menopausal and it is common for emotions to change with the change. Have you talked to your gyno about this. Sounds as if your regular doc is just trying meds for you. Glad that the anxiety one worked, but if you feel as if you are a zombie than it is not for you. Can you try something different? The key to this is to get it undercontrol. If it is hormonal and you have a hormonal imbalance inside of you, then that is the first thing to rule out before anything else.