The Science Behind Why You Cry When You're Angry - Refinery29

Skip navigation!ADVERTISEMENTStory from HealthADVERTISEMENTThe Science Behind Why You Cry When You’re AngryPema BakshiLast Updated 4 August 2022, 7:15 Getty Images X Refinery29You’re in the thick of an argument, you’ve got your heels dug firmly in the ground and you’re not backing down. But uh-oh — suddenly, amid all the fuss, you feel the damp heat of tears come streaming down your face. It’s confusing and upsetting, like your body isn’t your own, but you Just. Can’t. Stop. Them. These are angry tears and they’re actually a lot more common than you’d think. As someone who can definitely relate to experiencing this phenomenon, I know they’re not ideal, particularly when you feel that crying detracts from your argument. However angry tears are a natural response to the overwhelming emotions that come up when we’re enraged. So, why do they happen? We investigate.AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

Why do we sometimes cry when we're mad?

The most common explanation for angry tears comes down to the strong emotions underpinning the anger — being hurt, embarrassed, betrayed, or feeling unjustly treated, to name a few. As the old adage goes, anger isn’t a feeling, it’s a response to a feeling. When we experience these rather unpleasant situations, where we feel like we can't express ourselves, be heard or get our point across, or are feeling unreasonably blamed for something, intense frustration can build — and that's when the tears start coming because we feel quite helpless.Anger can be a lot for our bodies to process, particularly as there are no physical wounds, and the results can be pretty grim. According to Healthline, when we get mad, our bodies “produce a flood of hormones that stimulate strong reactions in our body — everything from a racing heart to sweaty palms to short-term memory loss.”Some also theorise that it’s an evolutionary response, designed to act as a help signal to those around us that we’re vulnerable and under threat. And even in modern society, our body's need to stay alert for dangers remains intact.

How do you stop crying when you're angry?

While there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution, there are some small steps you can take when you feel the dam is about to break.Breathwork is one of the best ways to alleviate some of the stress. Take deep, slow breaths in order for your body to catch up with what’s going on. Other expert techniques include removing yourself from the situation, getting some fresh air and chugging some water. Basically, you want to distract your body and your mind with things that also lower your cortisol (the stress hormone) and your blood pressure.AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT

Is crying when you're angry normal?

Crying when you're mad isn't only normal but can actually be good for you. As noted in Healthline, researchers have found that "crying stimulates the release of oxytocin and prolactin, two chemicals that can bring your heart rate down and otherwise calm you after a stressful event." Only, if you find yourself in a situation where you're embarrassed by your crying, say, in the middle of a work meeting, these feelings can only compound the stress you feel.Ultimately though, there's nothing wrong with crying when you’re mad; it can just come as a surprise and it be unsettling to not feel in control of your body. If you genuinely think that it's interfering with the rest of your life, professional help is always out there! But know that it’s a perfectly normal physical response — it's just your body’s way of looking out for you in its own unique way.AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT TrendsYou’re Not An Empath, ActuallyRaise your hand if you’ve heard someone call themselves an “empath”, or you yourself have claimed the label. It sounds virtuous, right? An empath is by Tanyel MustafaOnline DatingReddit’s Dirtiest Pick-Up Lines Will Make You BlushWe’re all familiar with “Hey baby, what’s your sign?” and “If I coul’d rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.” But what abouby Erika W. SmithSexThe Sexual Hygiene Habit You Should Never SkipThere are two rules that anyone having anal sex has hopefully heard before: First, always use lube; second, don’t go straight from anal sex to vaginaby Cory StiegAdvertisementADVERTISEMENTUnbotheredWomen Of Faith Are Quietly Skipping Their Cervical Screenings — H...I had smear-test anxiety long before I got my first invitation letter from my GP asking me to come in for my first cervical screening. And when it arrived,by Susan AkyeampongRelationshipsDating Is So Bleak, Even The Anxious Girlies Are Becoming AvoidantAre you anxious, avoidant or secure? What’s rarely discussed is whether people can switch from one camp to another. People wear their “anxious” labelby Tanyel MustafaHoroscopesYour Horoscope This Week: 10th To 16th AugustWe made it through, skymates. The 8/8 Lion’s Gate Portal, the Aquarius Full Moon, and the final few days of a drama-drenched Mercury Retrograde in Leby Dossé-Via TrenouBodyIf You’re Itchy & Uncomfortable It Might Be Bacterial Vagin...If you’ve ever experienced bacterial vaginosis, otherwise referred to as BV, you’ll know how uncomfortable it is. But you’ll also know, iby Tanyel MustafaHoroscopesThe Full Sturgeon Moon In Aquarius Is Here — Now UnwindThere comes a time every month where we must engage with the flow of the moon to connect with ourselves and this is the full moon. This phase of the moon uby Lisa StardustBodyIf Your Vulva Is Tingling, This Might Be WhyDepending on the situation, your vulva can sometimes feel wet, itchy, burning, or swollen. Sometimes a new feeling in your vulva is the result of a health by Erika W. SmithHoroscopesThe Lion’s Gate Portal 2025 Is Here — It’s Time To ManifestThe Lion’s Gate Portal is upon us! August 8th (8/8) is a highly auspicious time for us to manifest and to consider our hopes. Why, you ask? The spirby Lisa StardustHoroscopesMars In Libra Is Here — & It’s Time For You To ChillMars’s entrance into Libra on August 6th allows us to decompress. The summer has been full of retrogrades, so we’ll relish being drama-free, but only iby Lisa StardustHoroscopesYour Horoscope This Week: 3rd To 9th AugustWhat if the cosmos is calling us to speak up — right now? This week begins with a rare celestial alignment: Uranus in Gemini forms a quintile aspect to tby Dossé-Via TrenouAdvertisementADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENT