Can you cry so much that tears stop coming?

Yes, it is indeed possible for a person to cry so much that tears stop coming, This phenomenon occurs due to the depletion of the tear fluid or tear reservoir. The tear glands responsible for producing tears can eventually become exhausted from excessive crying. As a result, the production of tears decreases, leading to a temporary reduction or even complete cessation of tear flow.

When the tear glands lack sufficient fluid, the eyes may feel dry and irritated, and the burning sensation caused by the lack of tears can further contribute to the discomfort experienced during prolonged crying. In most cases, the tear glands replenish the tear reservoir over time, allowing tear production to resume and providing relief to the dry eyes.

However, in rare instances, continuous, relentless crying over an extended period can lead to a condition known as psychogenic lacrimal gland dysfunction(PLGD). PLGD involves the dysregulation of tear production, resulting in either excessive tear production(hyperlacrimation) or insufficient tear production(hypolacrimation) despite the absence of any underlying medical conditions.