How can I stop myself crying all the time?

[MingeOnFire]

Other than by going on antidepressants?

I don't mean I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out but I'm constantly over emotional about everything at the moment. I read a sad news article or book, I cry. I randomly think a sad thought, I cry. Someone looks at me the wrong way or says the wrong thing I feel despair and tears come to my eyes.

I'm so fed up of it. My mental health is poor right now (like a lot of people's), but I could cope if it wasn't for the constant tears and heightened emotions. It's particularly problematic at work.

I don't get on with antidepressants and really don't want to go back on them, but I know most the ssri's would stop the tears at least.

Any suggestions? I know I'm being hopeful, but I'm desperate

Do you take vitamins at all? I recently found I'm deficient in D and have been on supplements. I am alot less emotional since I've been on them. I think B vitamins can affect mental health too.

Hi OP, are you doing all of the other things suggested to help with low mood naturally, like taking regular, heart-pumping exercise, getting enough sleep/rest and taking time out for yourself (especially if you have young kids or other intense commitments?), and also a healthy diet/quitting alcohol? These are the top areas for improvement. Not much to go on from your post.
The first listed is exercise, I think it makes a huge, huge difference for most, especially combined with fresh air and daylight in the bleakness and dark of midwinter.

I think a lot of people are like this at the moment. I cry at the daftest of things, but also the news, family stuff etc. I had a meltdown a few weeks back and had a telephone appointment with my doctor, who suggested anti d's for me, but since then, just talking it out with her, I've felt better. Still cry but not breakdown crying when I walk down the street or something. Maybe try an online counselling service, ask doc if they can recommend. I've been given one to try, not my thing but am going to give it a go.

Thanks for the answers. I do take vitamins including B and D, diet is OKish and I'm working on improving it. Alcohol usually moderate (maybe 1 bottle of wine a week) and none since 26th December. Exercise is practically non-existant at the moment unfortunately, other than walking. I work full-time so no daylight hours other than at weekend, and lack space at home to do much there.

I have a toddler but do get some time for myself.

I agree, a lot of people are feeling like this at the moment, and I could cope if it wasn't for the fact I keep crying at work as it's getting ridiculous. I can access phone counseling through work but I never really have the privacy to talk privately. I also feel a fraud, as at the moment there are people suffering so much and compared to others my life has been minimally affected by COVID. I have secure job and have worked throughout and none of my friends and family have been seriously ill with it.

I do have a long history of mental health problems (since teens), but find antidepressants limited help compared to the nasty side effects so not keen to go back on them if I can avoid it.

I got into the habit of thinking about something that made me laugh every time it happened during pregnancy or imagining someone I knew taking the mickey and that worked. Almost too well as I don’t cry much anymore. Hope you feel more yourself soon

I'm also a crier when I'm unwell. Antidepressants stop it so I can concentrate on getting better.

I'm currently on St Johns Wort and not sobbing - in fact, I've not had a bout of SAD this winter since I've been on them (about 6mths).