Why sometimes you can’t cry even when you are sad?
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Scientists prove that tears help reduce stress, release emotions and feel relief in a difficult moment.
But sometimes a person feels sadness, grief, pain and despair, but cannot cry. And this does not mean that she does not care or does not grieve.
This condition can be associated with mental and physical illnesses, certain medications, trauma, and social factors.
Very Well Mind and Medical News Today have put together possible reasons why you can’t cry.
| Photo: George Doyle/GettyImages |
Disease
Certain diseases physically make it difficult or impossible to cry. Conditions such as dry eye syndrome physically affect the production or release of tears from the tear ducts.
Dry eye syndrome, known as keratoconjunctivitis, is characterized by insufficient tear production.
It is more common in people who wear contact lenses, but can also be related to pregnancy, hormonal changes, age, rheumatoid arthritis, eyelid inflammation, diabetes, and thyroid problems.
Medicine
Taking certain medications can reduce or stop your ability to produce tears. A study found that 46% of people taking antidepressants experience a dulling of emotions.
These medications can help relieve symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other conditions, but sometimes they can also affect how people feel and express emotions.
In particular, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can prevent a person from crying when they are sad.
Some other medications can affect tear production and contribute to dry eyes. Medicines that can affect tear production include:
- Antihistamines
- Anti-edema drugs
- Medicines for Parkinson’s disease
- Antipsychotics
- Antispasmodics
- Beta blockers
- Diuretics
- Hormonal drugs
- Antitumor drugs
- Proton pump inhibitors
- Isotretinoin
- Aspirin and ibuprofen
- Hydrocodone and oxycodone
Substances such as alcohol and cannabis can also cause the inability to cry. And some herbal supplements (echinacea, coffee and niacin) can contribute to dry eyes.
Mental disorders
Some people cry a lot due to mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, while others feel as though they have run out of tears.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, depressive disorder, depersonalization-derealization syndrome can suppress emotions and prevent you from crying.
Although depression is thought to lead to more tears because it causes feelings of sadness, many people do emptiness, apathy. This can affect the residence of feelings and crying in particular.
Depression often causes melancholy, patients complain of “flat” emotions and lack of interest in the world.
Another common symptom is anhedonia, a loss of interest in activities that were previously pleasurable.
Research shows that people who experience anhedonia also have difficulty expressing their emotions, including crying.
Surgical intervention
If you have had eye surgery, it may be difficult for you to cry.
Laser keratomileusis (LASIK) is a surgical procedure that helps people improve their vision. One of the side effects immediately after surgery is dry eyes, which makes it difficult to cry.
Suppression of emotions
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| Photo: stokkete/Depositphotos |
People deal with emotions differently. Someone is more expressive, and someone is reserved.
Some people can deliberately suppress their emotions, hide their feelings, prevent themselves from crying.
Research shows that suppressing emotional expression can have adverse health consequences.
You may develop unhealthy coping mechanisms, and this leads to increased stress levels, which shortens life and impairs its quality.
So if you notice that you are repressing your emotions, seek help.
Read also: Are you afraid to cry? 8 Reasons Why Tears Can Be Good
Experience violence
Experiencing emotional and physical abuse can have a negative impact on how people experience emotions. They may learn not to cry, especially in situations where crying has led to further violence from abusers.
Victims of violence also sometimes experience emotional “numbness” or muffled emotions.
Survivors of abuse and trauma may use emotional numbing as a way to disconnect from pain and suffering.
Such a protective reaction can bring temporary relief, but at the same time make it difficult to connect with a person’s own feelings.
Social expectations
People may be ashamed to cry because of social and cultural norms, stereotypes such as “boys shouldn’t cry” or “crying is a sign of weakness”.
Read also: There are no good or bad emotions: how can parents better understand children during war?
Climate
This cause is quite rare, but you may still find it harder to cry after moving to a drier climate.
Windy weather can also reduce normal tear production and cause dry eyes, according to the American Optometric Association.
If you suspect any of these reasons, do not self-medicate and consult a specialist. Doctors will help you recover, and psychotherapy will help you reconnect with your feelings.
We will remind you by number 0 800 211 444 you can call a hotline that provides psychological help to people experiencing stress due to war or forced relocation.
There is also a 24-hour anonymous psychological support hotline for men in Ukraine – at the following numbers: 2345* (for Vodafone and Lifecell subscribers) or +38 (067) 752 23 45 (for “Kyivstar” subscribers).
Read also: Psychologist, psychotherapist and psychiatrist: what is the difference and when should you contact them?
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