Why Can't I Cry? Exploring The Unexpected Symptoms Of Depression

The simple definition of crying is an involuntary emotional response in which a person produces tears. Humans will often cry in response to sadness, stress, and negative experiences, but we can also be moved to tears by a great piece of artwork or a beautiful sunset. While it’s a common part of the human experience, scientists report that there are still mysteries associated with the human act of crying.  

For some people, crying doesn’t come easily, which may make them feel worried. Instead of crying to release your emotions, you might be left feeling numb, like you aren’t feeling anything at all. As a result, you might become frustrated that you don’t seem to be processing emotions the way you think you should. The truth is that various physical and mental health conditions as well as environmental and social factors may contribute to a person’s inability to cry. Read on to learn more about these. 

What causes an inability to cry?  

If you’re asking yourself, “Why can’t I cry?”, there are a host of potential reasons to consider. For example, aging may lead to dry eyes and an inability to produce liquid tears, as the glands that produce them gradually lose function over time. There are also several medications that can result in perpetually dry eyes, such as antihistamines, allergy medication, high blood pressure medication, hormone replacement therapy medication, and certain medications used to treat anxiety and depression. If you suspect one of these may be the cause of your dry eyes, it’s usually recommended that you consult with your doctor. 

Dry conditions or polluted air could make it harder to produce tears, and some physical conditions, such as certain forms of conjunctivitis, could cause difficulties related to tear production as well. A person’s upbringing or culture may also make it harder for them to feel safe releasing emotion or engaging in emotional expression in this way. 

Additionally, certain mental health conditions can sometimes result in someone producing fewer tears or not crying at all, including depression and depressive episodes associated with bipolar disorder. 

Exploring the symptoms of depression 

Depression can manifest as various symptoms with varying degrees of severity. Two of these related to emotional expression and, potentially, a lack of crying include: 

• Anhedonia, which is one of the hallmarks of major depressive disorder. Anhedonia is the inability to experience joy or pleasure, which can often extend to experiencing few emotions at all. Those experiencing anhedonia often express an emotional numbness and find they are less passionate about what formerly brought them joy.  

• Melancholia, which goes hand in hand with anhedonia and is another hallmark of depression. While those with melancholia often experience the same sense of emotional numbness as those with anhedonia, those with melancholia are more likely to experience stronger feelings of sadness and guilt as well. 

Major depressive disorder is a serious mental health condition that can severely impact one’s ability to live a productive and satisfying life. While not all those who experience occasional periods of melancholia or anhedonia are experiencing major depressive disorder, it is usually important that those exhibiting symptoms for prolonged periods of time seek professional support. 

Coping with depression 

If you are living with symptoms of depression, it’s usually recommended that you seek professional treatment as soon as possible. Talk therapy is the first treatment usually recommended for those with depression, and medication may also be prescribed in some cases. For trouble crying or expressing emotion in particular, journaling, exercise, and relaxation exercises may help.  

Therapy can be an effective way to address various symptoms of depression, including an inability to cry. A therapist can help clients get to the root of why they might be feeling numb or unable to process emotional distress and help them build healthy habits when it comes to expressing their feelings.  

If symptoms of a mental health condition make it difficult for you to leave the house to meet with a therapist in person, you might find online therapy to be a more convenient alternative. In addition to offering flexibility and cost-effectiveness, research suggests that online therapy can deliver a quality of care similar to that of in-person therapy.