Is constant crying normal for a 2-year-old?

Is crying once a week a sign of depression?

• Although I wasn't diagnosed, I was extremely depressed for several years a few years ago. I even engaged in moderate self injury. Then it all went away and I was happy again - I felt normal. But since May this year things have been going downhill. I have incessant tinnitus - which is very stressful, have been quite sick (hospital, ER, missing classes and tests) and now whenever something bothers me I burst out in tears (or hold it in) once a week for the past five or six weeks. I'm just so angry and frustrated. I hate crying. I cry much too easily now ever since my grandmother died over two years ago. I used to never cry - even when I was depressed. Back then it was just a constant deep sadness. The SI helped, but since I don't do that anymore I resort to crying. Makes me feel like going back to SI to stop the freakin' crying. I don't even know if this is a mental unbalance or what. I tried therapy once a long while back, but it did no good.

• Answer:

  Well, from what you've said, it doesn't sound like your a chronically depressed person, but it's a very circumstantial depression. I don't blame you, I would be depressed too if I had to deal with that. Crying isn't a bad thing though, unless you turn it into a childish game, where you cry when you don't get your way. Crying once in a while helps us tremendously; releasing all our bottled up emotions. Don't beat yourself up over it! So yeah, I would say you're depressed with good reason. That's not a bad thing, nobody thinks less of you for it. Sounds like you're doing a hell of a lot better than I would be in such a situation. Have you considered medication? Maybe you're not into that sort of thing, I don't know - but maybe it will help. I know my life has taken a turn for the better ever since I decided to start. If you ever need to talk, you know, a shoulder to cry on, I'm here. Send me a message even if you want to talk about how much of a lousy day you had. Best of luck. We're all rooting for you. :)