Crying For No Reason: Getting Support, Causes, And How To Stop Crying

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhy might a person cry for no reason?

Medically reviewed by Bethany Juby, PsyD — Written by Lois Zoppi — Updated on November 5, 2024

Causes
How to stop
Organizations
Contacting a doctor
Summary

Potential causes of crying for no apparent reason include pregnancy, burnout, anxiety, and grief. Depending on the underlying cause, a person may experience other symptoms alongside sudden crying.

Everyone cries occasionally, and a person may cry more on a given day for no apparent reason.

If crying becomes more frequent or uncontrollable and there is no apparent cause, people may benefit from speaking with a doctor. A mental health condition, hormonal imbalance, or neurological condition may be responsible.

This article explores what can cause frequent and unexplained crying and explains when and where to get help.

Causes of crying for no reason

Close up of a person wiping a tear from their eye. — Image credit: martin-dm/Getty Images

The factors below may cause a person to cry more than usual or without an apparent reason.

Menstruation

Hormonal changes that occur around the time of menstruation can cause emotional and physical symptoms. Doctors refer to these symptoms collectively as premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Between 80% and 90% of females experience at least one sign of PMS. In 2.5% to 3% of females, PMS may be severe enough to interfere with their regular activities.

Crying spells are one symptom of PMS. Other mood-related symptoms that may occur shortly before or during a period include:

feelings of sadness
tension or anxiety
irritability or hostile behavior
mood changes

People may also have non-mood-related symptoms, including difficulty sleeping and stomach cramps.

Pregnancy

The body goes through many hormonal changes during and after pregnancy. These changes can influence a person’s mood, causing them to cry more than usual.

Many people experience psychological changes, including feelings of sadness and emptiness, during pregnancy or after giving birth. If these feelings last for more than 2 weeks, they can indicate postpartum depression.

Other symptoms of postpartum depression can include:

a persistent low mood
a lack of motivation or energy
sleep and memory problems
a lack of interest in the baby
a lack of connection with the baby
feelings of hopelessness and guilt

Burnout

Burnout describes extreme mental and physical exhaustion that a person may experience due to excessive, prolonged stress.

It can affect a person’s ability to regulate negative emotions, which may lead to emotional outbursts and crying.

Some other features of burnout include:

anxiety
depression
irritability
insomnia and fatigue
difficulty concentrating
forgetfulness
difficulty making decisions

Burnout may also increase the risk of physical health issues, including headaches and muscular pain.

Anxiety

Anxiety is a mental health condition that involves increased levels of fear, worry, or panic. It affects around 40 million adults in the United States each year.

Anxiety can make people feel vulnerable and out of control — feelings that can cause a person to cry.

Some other symptoms of anxiety include:

nervousness
irritability
feelings of impending danger or doom
difficulty concentrating
an increased heart rate
rapid breathing
increased sweating
trembling
feeling weak or tired
difficulty sleeping
gastrointestinal problems

Depression

Depression is a mental health condition that causes a low mood that lasts weeks, months, or years. For a diagnosis, a person must have symptoms that last at least 2 weeks.

A person with depression may cry more readily or frequently than a person without it. Some other symptoms may include:

anger and irritability
feelings of guilt and hopelessness
feelings of numbness or emptiness
low confidence and self-esteem
a lack of interest or pleasure in past hobbies and interests
difficulty concentrating
sleep problems
changes in appetite
suicidal thoughts

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Grief

Grief is a complex, ongoing process that occurs when someone loses someone or something important to them. The process is different for everyone, but crying is often part of it.

Some people experience delayed or prolonged grief that does not improve over time. Experts call this “complicated” or “unresolved” grief. It may cause a person to cry suddenly or without warning.

Other symptoms of complicated or unresolved grief include:

an inability to accept the loss
emotional numbness
intense emotional pain
feelings of personal blame or guilt
feeling isolated or detached from others
a loss of identity or purpose
a feeling that life is meaningless or empty
suicidal thoughts

Pseudobulbar affect

Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a neurological condition that can increase a person’s propensity to cry. Other names for this condition include:

emotional lability
reflex crying
involuntary emotional expression disorder

PBA occurs because of a disconnect between the frontal lobes of the brain and the cerebellum and brain stem. The frontal lobes control emotions, while the cerebellum and brain stem help regulate reflexes.

A disconnect between these areas can lead to emotional dysregulation, which may cause uncontrollable crying, anger, or laughter.

PBA can occur as a result of:

a stroke
dementia
amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
multiple sclerosis
Parkinson’s disease

Social factors

Social and cultural factors may also influence how much people cry. A person who is part of a social culture that is less accepting of crying and other forms of emotional expression may try to avoid crying to prevent shame or embarrassment.

A 2019 study using an international study suggests that gender, gender beliefs, and beliefs about the benefits of crying may affect crying frequency.

How to stop crying

Crying is a perfectly natural way to express emotion. However, someone who often cries for no apparent reason may feel worried about crying at inappropriate or inconvenient times.

The strategies below might help a person stop crying:

pressing the tongue to the roof of the mouth
relaxing the facial muscles
pinching the skin between the thumb and forefinger

A person might also try deep breathing exercises. For example, breathing in through the nose for several seconds and pulling the air down to expand the belly, then releasing the air through the mouth until the belly deflates.

Organizations that can help

If a mental health issue is responsible for a person’s frequent crying, they may benefit from the resources and support that the following organizations offer:

the Anxiety and Depression Association of America
the National Institute of Mental Health
Active Minds
Mental Health America

Local mental health organizations and support groups may also be able to offer support. A doctor can provide guidance about accessing these resources.

When to see a doctor

People may choose to speak with a doctor if they experience crying that:

is frequent, uncontrollable, and occurs for no apparent reason
interferes with the ability to do everyday things
occurs alongside other physical, emotional, or psychological symptoms

If the doctor believes that the person may have an underlying mental health issue, they may refer them to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. These mental health professionals can help people address underlying issues and develop appropriate coping strategies.

If the doctor suspects a physical health issue, they can provide a diagnosis and treatment.

Summary

Crying is a natural emotional response to many different factors. However, frequent, uncontrollable, or unexplained crying can be emotionally and physically exhausting and greatly affect daily life.

Crying for no apparent reason may result from a mental health condition, such as burnout, anxiety, or depression. It might also stem from hormonal imbalances or neurological conditions.

If frequent crying for no apparent reason is causing concern, see a doctor for a diagnosis or a referral to a mental health professional.

Mental Health
Eye Health / Blindness
Neurology / Neuroscience
Psychology / Psychiatry

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Anxiety disorders - facts & statistics. (2022).https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/facts-statistics
Bahadur N. (2018). How to stop yourself from crying.https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/14/well/mind/how-to-stop-yourself-from-crying.html
Carlson K, et al. (2024). Postpartum depression.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519070/
Chauhan A, et al. (2022). Maternal mental health during pregnancy: A critical review.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9681705/
Depression. (2024).https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/depression
Edú-Valsania S, et al. (2022). Burnout: A review of theory and measurement.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8834764/
Grief and bereavement. (2023).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/end-of-life-care/grief-and-loss/grieving-process.html
Gudipally PR, et al. (2023). Premenstrual syndrome.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560698/
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). (2021).https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/premenstrual-syndrome
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA). (2024).https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/effects-of-stroke/emotional-effects/pseudobulbar-affect
Sharman LS, et al. (2019). The relationship of gender roles and beliefs to crying in an international sample.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6795704/

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Medically reviewed by Bethany Juby, PsyD — Written by Lois Zoppi — Updated on November 5, 2024

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Tag » Why Do I Cry When I'm Frustrated

Crying For No Reason: Getting Support, Causes, And How To Stop Crying

Causes of crying for no reason

Menstruation

Pregnancy

Burnout

Anxiety

Depression

Help is out there

Grief

Pseudobulbar affect

Social factors

How to stop crying

Organizations that can help

When to see a doctor

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

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