9 year old daughter constantly on the verge of tears

[yvonneb176]

My daughter is a lovely, sensitive soul, and it's not unusual for her to get really teary over a book or film. But over the last few weeks she's been increasingly moody, preoccupied with a few minor health niggles (a cold, a stubbed toe) and seemingly feeling sorry for herself. These past few days she is struggling to get to sleep at night and seems constantly on the verge of tears. She tells me she is crying at school too. At times, it really seems as if she is pushing herself to cry, if she feels that she has been told off or treated unfairly. I don't want to make too much of it because it does almost seem as if she is manipulating the rest of the family to some extent (I know how awful I sound, saying this). I am trying to be sympathetic, and to allow that her feelings are legitimate, but it seems as if sympathy makes the crying drag out longer. As I write this, I realise we probably need to get some help. But I wonder if anyone has experienced anything similar?