Allowing yourself to sob

[UndertheOcean]

is it helpful for removing pent up emotions , or is it counterproductive.

SSRI's severely reduce your ability to cry I noticed, I'm not sure that is healthy

[Forkboy]

1. I'm not sure there's one answer on that that fits everyone.

One of the reasons I stopped taking them was precisely because I didn't feel anything, even in obvious cases where I knew I should. When the VTech shootings happened I simply felt nothing at all. I mean NOTHING. That scared me more than the depression did.

I'm not a big cryer, but I do sometimes, and I think it helps remind me of my own humanity, so for me it's a good thing. Whether it releases other pent up emotions is a different story, but I have lots of messed up music to help in those areas. :)

[Sundoggy]

2. SSRI's nearly killed me

Hey, let's poke around with the chemicals in people's heads. We don't know what it's doing but it SEEMS to work.

Been there, done that. Never again.

[qb]

3. Allow yourself to sob. It is a natural reaction to grief. I believe it helps to heals you.

I couldn't cry for over 20 years - I shut it down because I thought it was "un-masculine" and I did not want to give others the satisfaction of knowing they'd hurt me. I didn't get it back until I came out and was honest with all of my feelings. Now a good cry feels cleansing. It doesn't make everything all better, but after a good sob I feel calm and able to move on.

[mopinko]

4. i once heard of a study

that showed the certain neurochemicals are purged through tears. this was a long time ago. but iirc, the study was looking at just this question, and found it to be useful in restoring neurochemical balance.

[redqueen]

7. I read that it releases cortisol (?) via tear ducts.

It releases a stress hormone, anyway, if I'm not remembering the right name.

So yes... if this is true then it's definitely good for you.

[mdmc]

5. that is the beauty of being a bleeding heart liberal

just show me a clip of RFK or John Lennon speaking, and I get all teary eyed. Show me a video clip of JFKjr. saluting the casket of his dad, I lose it.
Shit. I lose it just typing it up here....

[terrya]

6. It helps me.

For me, crying is productive. A lot of times, I just don't feel anything. Crying lets me release all that is bottled up inside.