Physical response to emotion

[HiBarbie]

Does anyone else feel like they have a physical response to emotion? I well up or get a lump in my throat as if I could cry every time I feel a strong emotion. Any strong positive or negative feeling creates this response. This happens multiple times a day and I feel like I have to swallow it down or I'd be crying lots. I feel like I have an extreme emotional response because so much makes me want to cry. I could handle a less intense version of this but I don't think this is how it is for everyone else eg dh does not relate to this at all. I mostly hide it because I am not trying to be attention seeking or dramatic so most people wouldn't realise how emotional I am. I'm sure I wasn't always this sensitive and there's been times in my life I remember thinking that I just didn't cry or get emotional much at all. Is there a way to fix this or am I just more emotional now? Is there something wrong with me?

Yes I have this at times. I’m don’t cry generally, I think it wouldn’t stop if I started. Stress response is also very strong. This is all a very recent discovery after a lot of therapy and EMDR has been hugely helpful. I’m finally feeling more in control of the physical response which overshadows my
mental response. All very primitive.

Peri-menopause?

Mine is from a not being allowed to show emotion as a child, stiff upper lip, but it has to go somewhere. Menopause hasn’t altered it

For me it's stress OP, I get a stomach pain a tightness in my chest and light-headedness. Not unusual in stressful moments but lately it's been way more pronounced and comes over silly things, like 'high alert' moments rather than real stress. Even if my phone rings sometimes or if I'm looking for a parking space. I'm wondering if I'm getting over sensitive too?

Maybe you need to let yourself cry more OP?

I vomit in times of stress
I have recently learned this is often a trauma response. I cry easily though

Does this make it worse?
I read that many menopausal /middle aged women get frozen shoulder from "carrying the weight of the world"

Some women have massive issues with emotional regulation during peri-menopause.

I get this. I cry if I'm upset obviously but also if I'm angry or stressed. I don't like it but I literally can't stop it from happening.

I think suppressing it will only make it worse in the long run. You are feeling this way for a reason, have you explored that? If you let it out eg cry, how do you feel after?

I get extreme blotches all over half my neck and face. Sometimes the whole thing, but often just half, with a clearly defined line on my neck. Sometimes my arms and chest as well. it's really weird.

Yes can fully identify with this OP and also previous posters. Feel the same and experience strong emotional responses to certain situations. For me in particular, if someone snaps or shouts at me it makes me cry. I'm early 40s. Always been very emotional. Wish I wasn't in some ways as it does make my life harder at times. I think I'm depressed too but trying to pluck up courage to see my doctor. Also been anxious for years to a large extent

@Aquamarine1029 i didn't know this

I think stress always finds a physical way out, affecting the body. I get a churning tummy and tension across the back of my neck & head; a woman I worked with would break out in spots during stressful periods.

If I'm upset I often get a very red & blotchy face.

Emotions can definitely affect us physically.

Thank you for your responses. My life is busy and stressful but I feel like it's me because everyone else seems to manage just getting on with it and not crying. I do feel better if I let it all out and cry but I will still get the emotional response the next time something is meaningful or upsetting. Sometimes it feels like a useful thing because it's super clear to me when something matters to me because I have this strong reaction but it's mostly stressful having to manage a body that feels the need to cry at everything. We've got stressors but hasn't everyone. I'm 37 with a grumpy but helpful dh, two dc and I work four days a week. I've not thought about peri menopause but I definitely feel like my emotional regulation is malfunctioning!

@LaMaG

I'm getting like this too and I dislike my phone calling when I don't know who it is.

I also get stressed if the person I'm speaking too isn't giving me any energy.

It's bizzare. I start to shake now with anything remotely tricky to deal with that's unexpected

In extreme emotional stress I throw up, it's like a punch in the gut. I also get dizziness and I'd be hard pushed to remember my own name never mind how to work my own phone.
I cry really easily at the moment and I think it's because yoga is releasing a lot of stored trauma left in the body.

I was thinking of yoga, do you think on balance it's a good way to release stress and a good idea to release it? I never cry but feel like I might implode sometimes.