Haven't cried in 4 years?

Jake Rugby Walrus666

I was cycling in through sandymount last week - against a very strong wind.

Sunnyisland

In fact, three types of tears exist, all with different purposes. Basal tears are omnipresent in our eyes. These constant tears are what keep our eyes from drying out completely. The human body produces an average of 5 to 10 ounces of basal tears each day. They drain through the nasal cavity, which is the reason so many of us develop runny noses after a good sobfest.

The second type is reflex tears, which serve to protect the human eye from harsh irritants such as smoke, onions or even a very strong, dusty wind. To accomplish this feat, the sensory nerves in your cornea communicate this irritation to your brain stem, which in turn sends hormones to the glands in the eyelids. These hormones cause the eyes to produce tears, effectively ridding them of the irritating substance.

The third type of tears is emotional tears. It all starts in the cerebrum where sadness is registered. The endocrine system is then triggered to release hormones to the ocular area, which then causes tears to form. Emotional tears are common among people who see Bambi's mother die or who suffer personal losses.

The phrase "having a good cry" suggests that crying can actually make you feel physically and emotionally better, which many people believe. Some scientists agree with this theory, asserting that chemicals build up in the body during times of elevated stress. These researchers believe that emotional crying is the body's way of ridding itself of these toxins and waste products.

One study collected both reflex tears and emotional tears (after peeling an onion and watching a sad movie, respectively). When scientists analyzed the content of the tears, they found each type was very different. Reflex tears are generally found to be about 98 percent water, whereas several chemicals are commonly present in emotional tears [Source: The Daily Journal. First is a protein called prolactin, which is also known to control breast milk production. Adrenocorticotropic hormones are also common and indicate high stress levels. The other chemical found in emotional tears is leucine-enkephalin, an endorphin that reduces pain and works to improve mood. Of course, many scientists point out that research in this area is very limited and should be further studied before any conclusion can be made.

Incidentally, in Japan some people have taken the notion of "a good cry" to the next level. They hold organized crying clubs where they watch sad movies and television shows and read tear-inducing books.The reasons for our crying changes as we grow from babies to adults.

Some boo hoo info

http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/crying1.htm

Valmont

Stepmom with Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon, or that emotionally manipulative film, King Kong with Naomi Watts. Two hours of close-ups of a sad primate would be enough to make Stalin cry.

ghogie91

Last time I cried I was an obese 10 year old and cried when my sister ate my galaxy easter egg

Im not one to hold a grudge... but that was 12 years ago. And it a Galaxy and all

_Kaiser_

I don't cry for "serious" things either - funerals etc. I may be sad alright but never to the point of tears.

There are a few films that get to me though.

DeadHand

zetalambda wrote: »

Yes, I'm afraid this is the first phase of becoming a serial killer. Lack of empathy. Next will be a phase of chronic masturbation and dressing up in women's clothes.

I skipped phase one, went straight to phase two.

What's three?

Cupcake_Crisis

I cried on Wednesday night watching Super vet. I'm an emotional wreck.

razorblunt

Lookup "Futurama Dog" on YouTube then delete this thread.

Fishyfreak

When my Mam died i didn't cry once.

All my family and friends thought I was some sort of freak. I actually felt uncomfortable going to the graveyard/memorial masses etc because i'd be the only one not crying. I felt a bit guilty (even though inside i was hurting as much as anyone over such a loss). A few people thought i was in some form of shock for months.

Luckily i went to bereavement counselling and she assured me i was quite normal. Phew

cookie24

Have you watched Armegeddon? If that doesn't get to you you're a lost cause.

razorblunt

Fishyfreak wrote: »

When my Mam died i didn't cry once.

All my family and friends thought I was some sort of freak. I actually felt uncomfortable going to the graveyard/memorial masses etc because i'd be the only one not crying. I felt a bit guilty (even though inside i was hurting as much as anyone over such a loss). A few people thought i was in some form of shock for months.

Luckily i went to bereavement counselling and she assured me i was quite normal. Phew

Yep, you have to hate the people who perpetuate the "you should act normal at a funeral" i.e. bundles of tissues, wailing, hand on forehead etc etc.

Everyone is entitled to act according to what they feel is right.

Good on you for at least double checking with a counsellor! I just presume what I was doing was normal at the time too!!

GerB40

Fishyfreak wrote: »

When my Mam died i didn't cry once.

All my family and friends thought I was some sort of freak. I actually felt uncomfortable going to the graveyard/memorial masses etc because i'd be the only one not crying. I felt a bit guilty (even though inside i was hurting as much as anyone over such a loss). A few people thought i was in some form of shock for months.

Luckily i went to bereavement counselling and she assured me i was quite normal. Phew

I've always believed there's no "right" way to grieve. Bereavement itself is a very odd thing, we're all aware of the inevitability of death from a very young age but when someone we know and love dies, we don't know how exactly to act..

Mister Vain

I haven't cried since I was a child when someone stole my bike.

mojesius

Have you tried watching 'Marlay and Me'. That should get the waterworks flowing. I haven't watched it because I cry at animal welfare charity ads but people have told me it's tough going!

crazygeryy

A good kick in the bollix and they ll be flowing out of you.

IvyTheTerrible

Fishyfreak wrote: »

When my Mam died i didn't cry once.

All my family and friends thought I was some sort of freak. I actually felt uncomfortable going to the graveyard/memorial masses etc because i'd be the only one not crying. I felt a bit guilty (even though inside i was hurting as much as anyone over such a loss). A few people thought i was in some form of shock for months.

Luckily i went to bereavement counselling and she assured me i was quite normal. Phew

I found that too when my brother died. I cried when I heard he'd died but there's only so much crying I can do, by the time of the funeral I was numb.