Sarah, you are definitely not alone - and I can absolutely relate to the crying exacerbating the headaches. I assume that it has something to do with the blood flow, etc. as this occasionally happened to me before PCS if I cried a lot.

One thing that helps me, and that is getting easier now with decent weather returning to the midwest, is just getting outside to have some sunshine. I had a lot of trouble this winter, and I've found that being able to even sit outside on a park bench and people watch for a bit provides a pick me up - and this is backed up by studies on seasonal affective disorder and the use of light therapy as treatment for depression. Some also argue that vitamin D has potential as a treatment for depression, which is of course part of what you get from sunshine. Everyone has a different coping mechanism, though, so it's worth paying attention to what yours is. If you're having a bad day, try some different things - go for a walk, play candy crush, read, hug a pillow, etc. and make note of what seems to help. That can help you to establish a plan for when you start to notice that things are bad.

Nortriptyline is a tricyclic anti-depressant, but the doses prescribed for PCS are normally lower than those prescribed for clinical depression. I assume you were prescribed it for headaches, and not psych symptoms? What is the dosage?

Also, if you are concerned that you are clinically depressed, please speak to a psychologist or psychiatrist - they are qualified to diagnose, where primary care physicians and even your neurologist are not. They can better direct you to a treatment plan with or without medication, such as cognitive behavioral therapy and/or a different medication like an SNRI that will target both serotonin and norepinephrine (nortriptyline only targets the latter) without the side effects that come with higher doses of nortriptyline.

If you are on a dosage of Nortriptyline that is high enough to combat the depression, it can take up to 6 weeks to have an impact. Has it helped at all with any of your other symptoms?

Note: I am not a doctor or trained clinical psychologist. I have an undergrad degree in psych with a specific focus on biological psychology, and worked in behavioral health before returning to graduate school for my PhD in another field. So, these notes come from a place of some knowledge and experience working with people with depression, but I wouldn't consider myself an expert!