Why You Can’t Stop Crying And How to Manage Your Emotions
Throughout life, we may receive many implicit and explicit messages about crying. Depending on the environment you grew up in, you might have been taught to believe that crying is natural, normal, and okay. However, you might avoid crying as much as possible if you were surrounded by people who became uncomfortable when you cried or told you it was wrong. While crying is a natural response to any big emotion, if you can't stop crying for inexplicable reasons, it may be beneficial to take a closer look at why.
Reasons why you can’t stop crying
Is it healthy to cry? Crying is normal, and studies show that it can even have benefits, such as releasing endorphins to make you feel better. However, if you're crying all the time, especially uncontrollably, there may be a reason why.
The potential causes of constant crying
- Stress or burnout
- Physical health conditions or pain
- Grief
- Mental health conditions or a neurological disorder
- Reactions to a specific medication or drug
- Environmental factors
- Sensitivity
Crying may not always have an underlying cause. Examining whether you have other symptoms besides being tearful can help determine whether something else may be happening. You can also seek an opinion from a medical professional if you're unsure why you might be crying so often.
Why do people cry?
Crying, which engages a number of facial muscles, is a natural response to overwhelming emotions. Despite what some may think, crying doesn’t only occur when you feel sad. Crying can happen when you experience fear, happiness, sadness, anger, or any other emotion.
Emotions are complex, and they can be affected by physiological changes, such as fluctuations in hormone levels. When your body produces tears, it may also be trying to rid itself of stress hormones like cortisol.
Below, we'll explore common reasons for crying in more depth.
Stress
When an individual experiences a stressful situation, the body's natural response to relieve that stress can be to cry. At times, we may not realized that we're stressed, which may lead to what appears to be a random or disproportionate crying outburst. For example, if you are going through a stressful time at work, you may burst into tears when you accidentally knock over a glass of water.
You’ll want to treat yourself with compassion when an emotional outpouring happens. It may be natural and necessary for you and your body to process stress and other emotions to release the tension.
While some stress is common, you may consider seeking professional support if the symptoms persist or grow more intense. If you cry multiple times a day or have a more intense crying session numerous times a week, turning inward and attempting to understand where these persistent feelings are coming from can help you feel some control over your emotions.
Uncontrolled stress may lead to issues with physical and emotional health, and in some cases, may pose an immediate risk to your well-being. In these cases, it may be best to process stressors with the help of a therapist. You might also use relaxation techniques like mindfulness.
Physical health conditions or symptoms
Certain physical health conditions may cause you to cry more than usual, including pregnancy, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and a condition called pseudobulbar affect (PBA). Crying more often could also be caused by changes in your body not caused by any particular health condition, such as a lack of sleep.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, the body experiences a spike in hormones. It's not unusual to cry more often and more easily if you're pregnant, especially in the first trimester. If you have any concerns during pregnancy, it may be helpful to contact your doctor or call your local emergency number.
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA)
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a nervous system disorder that can cause involuntary and inappropriate laughter or crying. People with PBA may often demonstrate an emotional response that is incongruous with their true feelings. PBA can be managed with medication.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common health condition, affecting as many as three out of four people who menstruate. PMS may come with a wide range of symptoms, including irritability, sadness, and mood swings. Often, these changes in the body can lead to more frequent crying.
Lack of sleep
Sleep can be restorative for our minds and bodies. Lack of sleep may cause irritability, difficulty concentrating, poor judgment, and heightened emotions. A prolonged lack of sleep may cause excessive emotional responses and result in uncontrolled crying. Studies have also shown that sleep deprivation may lead to the development of certain neurological conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Grief
The grieving process may begin when you lose someone or something important to you. Though grief can look different for everyone, crying is a normal reaction to such an impactful event.
Crying due to grief may happen unexpectedly and uncontrollably, such as in a public place. When grieving, it is important to remember that there is no “correct” timeline for grief and that crying may help relieve complex sensations and emotions, so it can be important to allow yourself to fully engage.
Strong emotions
Crying may not be directly related to feelings of grief or sadness. In fact, crying can be a common way to process various emotions, including fear, anger, or even happiness. Empathy for another person’s emotions can also trigger tears, even if you yourself are not experiencing those feelings directly.
Mental health conditions
Anxiety, depression, and other types of mental health conditions could be the cause of frequent or uncontrollable crying spells.
Anxiety
People living with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) tend to feel anxiety at a high level. Often, this anxiety can be caused by excessive worry over anticipated future events. People who experience mood disorders like GAD may exhibit exaggerated responses to stressors that others may not find troubling.
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that may cause persistent sadness, usually lasting more than a few weeks. Symptoms can also include feeling hopeless, gloomy, or fatigued. When moderate or severe depression is present, the affected person may cry as a response to seemingly trivial occurrences, or be unable to explain why they are crying. This kind of crying could be the result of a sense of worthlessness or hopelessness, both clinical criteria for diagnosing depression.
Environmental factors
Emotions are often linked to several external factors. For example, you may feel happy when you smell freshly baked bread because of fond memories from childhood. Feeling the wind in your hair may remind you of a boat ride you enjoyed with someone close to you. Driving past a particular street may remind you of something frightening you witnessed. These emotions may sometimes feel overwhelming and can cause one to cry.
When does crying become "too much?"
While crying is a natural response, you may want to talk with a professional if you feel it has become excessive or uncontrollable. You may also consider talking to professionals if your crying is coupled with other unhealthy behaviors, like thoughts of self-harm.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or urges, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 988 to talk to someone over SMS. Support is available 24/7. If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more immediate resources.
Who to talk to if you can’t stop crying
You can schedule a visit with your primary care provider for a wellness exam. They may be able to check if you have any hormonal imbalances that may be affecting your emotions. Discussing your feelings with a counselor or therapist could be beneficial, as they may help you discover the root cause of your crying. A therapist can work with you to find potential solutions as well if an underlying condition is present.
Online therapy for stress and mental health conditions
If you're experiencing grief or depression, you may have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. Online counseling allows you to speak with a licensed therapist from the comfort of your home, which can make it more accessible.
Online therapy’s impact on mental health symptoms and emotions
Studies have shown that online therapy can be a viable solution to decreasing negative symptoms. One study showed that of 318 online therapy users studied, 37.8% reported clinically significant improvement in their depression symptoms in just three months. If you're interested in trying online therapy to learn emotional control skills, platforms such as BetterHelp offer a large database of licensed counselors.
Takeaway
Crying can be a natural emotional response to sadness, stress, and even happy memories. However, there may be times when crying seems out of your control or understanding.
During these times, effective coping mechanisms and knowing when to reach out for help can be beneficial. Staying aware of your body physically and mentally can help you feel more in control. Consider taking the first step by reaching out to a counselor.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean if you cry all the time?
Some adults simply cry more often than others, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. More frequent crying could also be the result of normal hormonal changes, such as those experienced during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. However, note that excessive crying could be a sign of a mental health or medical condition. It could be a symptom of one of a few rare neurological conditions that affect certain parts of the brain, such as pseudobulbar affect, or it could indicate a mental illness like depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Meeting with a healthcare professional is typically recommended if you’re concerned that you're crying too much.
What is anxiety crying?
Crying is not an uncommon response to feelings of anxiety and/or symptoms of an anxiety disorder. It can be the body’s way of releasing tension or stress when it gets to be too much.
What to do after crying too much?
Shedding tears can be draining, so it’s often wise to treat yourself gently and with compassion after having a good cry. Taking a nap, a walk, a hot shower or bath, or some deep breaths, listening to music, or having a snack can all be ways you might choose to soothe yourself after the emotional release of crying.
Why do I get overwhelmed so easily and cry?
Some people are simply more prone to crying than others, whether innately or as a result of cultural conditioning. If feeling overwhelmed and crying easily is causing you distress or challenges in your life, you might take time to learn some positive coping mechanisms for when you feel strong emotions coming on. Examples could include deep breathing exercises, a brisk walk, journaling, and mindfulness. You could also speak with a therapist for additional support.
What causes a person to cry a lot?
Some people are simply wired or socially conditioned to cry more than others, and there’s nothing inherently wrong with such a tendency. However, frequent crying could indicate an underlying physical or mental health condition in some cases. Crying for no reason could be a sign of a neurological condition like the pseudobulbar affect, while shedding emotional tears very frequently could potentially indicate depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Meeting with a doctor and/or a therapist is generally recommended if you have concerns.
Is it healthy if you cry a lot?
Letting the tears flow from time to time can be healthy, since crying is a natural human response that can release emotion and tension and even ease pain. Crying a lot can be a valid way to express your feelings and give yourself the sensation of an emotional ‘reset’ as needed. However, crying frequently could also be a sign of an underlying mental or physical health condition that could need medical attention.
What are the side effects of crying too much?
In general, side effects of crying can include puffy eyes, congestion, headache, and fatigue. Crying excessively could also interfere with daily functioning or well-being in some cases. In this situation, it’s typically best to meet with a healthcare professional for evaluation and advice.
What happens if we cry a lot daily?
Crying a lot every day could be the result of grief or hardship. If it persists over time, however, it could indicate a condition or situation that requires professional support. Some neurological conditions can cause excessive crying, as can some mental illnesses like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Meeting with a doctor and/or therapist could be helpful if you're concerned.
Can crying too much be unhealthy?
While crying a lot usually doesn’t cause problems beyond stuffiness, puffy eyes, and a headache, it could sometimes be an indicator of an underlying health problem. Excessive crying can be associated with some neurological conditions as well as mental illnesses like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
What do you call a person who cries easily?
Someone who cries easily may be referred to as “sensitive” or “emotional.”
Why does pseudobulbar affect (PBA) cause crying?
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a disorder that can cause a person to display uncontrollable emotions, such as crying or laughter, seemingly without reason and unrelated to the social situation a person is in. This disorder typically occurs secondary to a neurological condition, such as dementia, brain tumors, or traumatic brain injury.
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