Does anyone else feel really sad/need a big cry when visitors leave?

TLDR: Does anyone else feel really sad/teary when visitors leave? Is it a M.E. thing (or is it just a *me* thing?). Not after advice, just curious to hear if anyone else is the same.

I'm severe and have, at most, one visitor per month for around 30min (usually my parents or sister). I can text my loved ones but can't do phone calls or anything else, so these visits are our main catch ups. I used to see my family multiple times a week, and I'm still adjusting to this new norm (its almost been a year). I love and miss them so much, but just can't manage catching up and more than this - which I know you will *get*.

I've noticed that after these very rare and precious visits, almost as soon as they leave, I feel so sad and teary - every time!!!

My guess is it's a combination of feeling genuinely sad that they're leaving because I had such a nice time and I miss seeing them regularly, but I also wonder if it's some sort of ME thing? Like from the "exertion" of seeing and talking someone other than my husband and kiddo? I am AuDHD so I do find the process of socialising exhausting at the best of times, even without ME, so that might feed into it. Whatever the reason, I now cry immediately after my loved ones visit/leave.

Anyone else burst into tears as soon as their visitors* leave? It's a touch embarrassing when they forget something and come straight back to knock on the door and I have to either explain that I'm crying but I'm fine, or try and pretend I wasn't ugly-sobbing just seconds ago 🫠

*this does not happen with visitors that aren't friends/family, e.g. i dont cry after seeing my support worker who come s to clean occasionally 😅

Posted Jun 5, 2026, 4:50 AM UTC

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