anyone know of some good techniques to stop crying

i need to get over my depressive episode of bipolar . i take my meds regularly exercise everyday and go to meetings, afternoons are very hard for me.

Oh that is a tough one. Do you break down in public places too? I am very emotional and I don't resist it. I know I am not being much help. I wish you the best though.

I do this when I am alone. I am very tactile. I find texture comforting - even when it's in my mouth. If I am sobbing a great deal I find something - like a tea towel or clean face cloth or pen - to bit down on.

you could always just focus/ think about a task you need to do, and hopefully if you think on it enough, it will distract you from the tears- it can be even a puzzle, or trivia if you like that sort of thing

or you could find something that makes you happy... as in,

i remember when downton abby ended, i was upset- really upset, for the whole evening. but in sted of just focusing on the sad part, i thought.. well, i have the dvd- here, let me watch it from the beginning again. that made me happier

you could apply that to your situation

i think it is best that you let yourself cry and don't try to stop it. for me, when i try to make myself stop crying it just makes it worse and sometimes causes me to feel pain because my throat gets lumps.

i think we are all so used to being told to "stop crying" by others who dont understand that not only is that nearly impossible for me but it is also not good to hold things in. my family is always judging me for crying which upsets me even more.

when i just let myself cry, i may cry for 5 hours , but afterwards i feel completely better, where when i try to supress it i keep feeling bad.

How is it going thus far? I forgot to meantion that getting up and doing something has also helped me. Like, doing my dishes by hand or even folding my laundry. I find even simple distractions to be soothing.

I don't see anything wrong with crying. I could see in public you might feel a little embarrassed but at home I see no problem.

Hugs, melmyers.
Speaking as someone who finds it nearly impossible to cry in front of anyone, I agree that you should just let those tears flow, honey.

Not crying in front of someone is nearly an automatic reflex for me at this point in my life. I practice deep breathing, I disconnect my attention from whatever is making me emotional, and I tell myself that I am okay.

When I do cry, I don't make a sound anyway. You could sit next to me in a movie theater and never know I was bawling my eyes out except for the horrible silent scream on my face.

For me, I just cry. I have always been a crier and it upsets everyone who I've ever cried around but I just cry. So like others have said, let those tears flow and let yourself feel cleansed afterwards. Sometimes life is just too sad and all a person can do is feel it and let it out. Hugs!