Can't Cry

Christian73 · Post by **Christian73** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 9:40 am

I've known for sometime that I have trouble crying and letting my emotions out. But the other night in couples counseling it was really clear to me that I need to work on this. I had a really frustrating day and I was in kind of a rage. I get to counseling and my boyfriend tells me something that just puts me over the edge. (It wasn't that big a deal, just the straw that broke my back and all that.) So I'm sitting there fuming and the therapist asks what would make me feel better. And I say that I wish I could cry. He asks when did you last cry. I say when I had a panic attack in November. He asks what was the time before that. I say the panic attack I had in June. So, I basically think that I keep all these things bottled up and every few months, I have a full blown panic attack.

My question for you folks is how do you release your emotions? Can you cry when you're upset or angry or anxious? If so, what do you do? If not, have you found other ways to express your emotions?

I'd really appreciate any feedback.

Christian

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 1:14 pm

I went through a period of time when I couldn't let that stuff out either and it would just boil up under my skin. My parents bought me a punching bag and put it in the basement. When I felt particularly emotional, I would go downstairs and punch the crap out of it. Now, unfortunately, it's been put into storage, so I settle for a taking a few minutes where I go upstairs, close the door and just scream and jump up and down a bit until I feel better.

Now this may not be your style, LOL, I know it seems a bit childish, but I guess the point is physical activity is really good for burning up the anger and resentment and can sometimes start a release avalanche that can lead to crying.

Hope this helps

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:23 am

I had a period of time after the birth of a child, quitting work, moving, etc. that the only discernible emotion I displayed was anger. I didn't even know there was a problem but then we got a dog. It was a hyperactive lab which needed daily walks and no one was willing so I got stuck with it. After a few months, I started to feel emotions again, sadness, happiness, excitement. I walked the dog daily at first light for about 30 minutes. I later read that walking outdoors in sunlight is a great way to alleviate depression. I also believe that time to myself while I walked helped me work out issues and also relieved the tension I felt. Hope you feel better soon. A good cry really feels good sometimes.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 3:54 am

I go for months being so angry I can't cry, then I switch to months of being so sad I can't stop crying. The only thing I've learned so far, is that you have to let both those emotions out because they are toxic. I have given myself permission to be mad and sad, now I just have to work out how to express these emotions without embarassing or hurting myself or others. Baby steps, that's all I can say.