Sobbing's Secret: Why We Cry and Choke Up

Author
Recent Posts

Author | Flower Picker | Day Drinker at Three To Four

I just want to jump out of the window and land on a huge pile of dessert.

The Physiology of Crying

Crying in response to emotions is a complex biological process. It involves the lacrimal glands, which produce tears. We have different types of tears: basal tears keep our eyes lubricated, reflex tears flush out irritants, and emotional tears are released when feelings become overwhelming. Emotional tears are unique—they contain higher levels of certain hormones like ACTH and prolactin, both of which are linked to stress responses, and have a different chemical composition, suggesting a role in regulating stress and mood.

Tears triggered by emotions carry various substances that indicate a link to our body’s stress mechanisms. The presence of hormones such as ACTH, related to stress response, and prolactin, associated with emotional regulation, suggests that crying can be a non-verbal signal for comfort or assistance. This signaling could have evolved as a survival mechanism, allowing for community support during distressing times. Moreover, the differences in tear production among individuals might explain why some people cry more easily than others, shedding light on the emotional disparities among different genders or those with depression.

The sensation of a lump in the throat may transcend the physical, acting as a repository for unexpressed feelings. This ‘throat lump’ could be viewed as a physical manifestation of one’s unspoken trauma, unresolved conflicts, or suppressed grief. It represents a spiritual call for emotional release and an invitation to find a safe space for expression. Incorporating a holistic approach to understanding our physical responses to emotional stimuli, the ‘lump in the throat’ becomes a symbolic cue for deeper emotional healing and spiritual growth.

The throat is not just a passage for food and sound—it also plays a role in our emotional anatomy. Emotions such as desire and anger often find their expression through the throat. Understanding this connection can provide insights into how we process and communicate these intense feelings. Recognizing the throat as a gateway for emotional expression can lead to better emotional regulation and communication strategies.

The feeling of throat closure or tightness during moments of sadness is a physiological response to stress, where the muscles around the throat involuntarily constrict. This reaction is part of the body’s natural defense mechanism. By acknowledging this, individuals can explore methods to alleviate throat tension, such as mindful relaxation techniques, to regain a sense of calm and control during emotional highs and lows.

Tools To Deal With That Sad Lump In Your Throat

Mindful Breathing Exercises

Mindful breathing exercises can be an effective tool for managing the physical sensation of a lump in the throat. Deep, controlled breathing helps relax the throat muscles and reduce the feeling of tightness, facilitating a sense of calm and reducing stress levels.

Expressive Writing Practices

Keeping a journal or engaging in expressive writing can provide an outlet for the emotions that contribute to the sensation of a lump in the throat. Writing down thoughts and feelings can help process emotions, offer a form of emotional release, and may decrease the intensity of the physical sensations associated with emotional stress.

Vocalization Techniques

Sometimes, simply allowing oneself to vocalize feelings can help ease the lump in the throat. This could involve singing, shouting into a pillow, or talking it out with a trusted friend. Vocalizing helps engage the throat muscles differently, potentially providing relief from the tension that contributes to the lump sensation.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation is a technique that involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in the body, including the throat. This method promotes awareness of physical sensations and helps to systematically release the tension held in the muscles, including those that cause the lump sensation.

Supportive Counseling or Therapy

Seeking the support of a counselor or therapist can be incredibly beneficial for individuals who frequently experience a lump in the throat due to emotional reasons. A professional can help address underlying issues, such as anxiety or unresolved trauma, and provide strategies for managing both the emotional and physical symptoms.

Some Statistics You Should Know

Studies suggested that up to 60% of adults may experience Globus sensation, the feeling of a lump in the throat, at some point in their lives, indicating a strong connection between this physical symptom and emotional stress.
Research into stress and its physical manifestations could hypothetically show that a significant percentage of individuals experiencing chronic stress report symptoms including throat tightness, potentially as high as 40%.
Emotional crying, which can be associated with the sensation of a throat lump, could be linked to measurable hormonal changes, with some hypothetical studies indicating that tear fluid may show a 25% increase in stress-related hormones compared to basal tear production.
If new research were conducted, it might find that women report experiencing the sensation of a lump in the throat due to emotional reasons more frequently than men, potentially reflecting broader societal patterns in emotional expression and hormonal differences.
It is conceivable that studies could show a significant correlation, such as over 50%, between individuals with a higher tendency to suppress emotions and the occurrence of physical symptoms, including the sensation of a lump in the throat.

The Origins of the Globus Sensation

The phenomenon of feeling a lump in one’s throat dates back to ancient medical texts, where it was often referred to as “globus hystericus,” a term attributed to the Greeks. It was believed to be associated with emotional disturbances, particularly in women, hence the term ‘hystericus’ which is derived from the Greek word for uterus.

The act of crying in response to emotions has been observed and documented throughout human history. Ancient philosophers like Aristotle contemplated why humans cry and considered tears as a form of purgation of emotions, a concept that aligns with some modern psychological theories on emotional regulation and release.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, the interpretation of the Globus sensation shifted from a solely psychological phenomenon to a potential symptom of various medical conditions. This reflected a broader movement in medicine towards a more holistic understanding of the interplay between emotional and physical health.

With the advancement of neurology and endocrinology in the 20th century, researchers began to uncover the biological mechanisms behind stress responses, including how they could lead to the sensation of a lump in the throat. The identification of the HPA axis was crucial in understanding the body’s hormonal response to stress and emotional stimuli.

The late 20th and early 21st centuries brought more nuanced insights into the physiological processes behind emotional responses, including crying. Modern research has delved into the composition of tears and their potential role in signaling emotional states, which has shed light on the complex biological underpinnings of what were once considered purely psychological experiences.

The body’s response to emotional distress, manifesting as a physical tightness in the throat, reflects the deep connection between our psychological states and somatic experiences. As early civilizations attributed this to emotional turmoil, modern research has painted a more intricate picture, linking muscle tension to an innate biological response to stress.