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Why Am I Crying For No Reason: Why It Happens & What to Do About It

Published: June 8, 2022 Updated: June 12, 2022
Published: 06/08/2022 Updated: 06/12/2022
Headshot of Iris Waichler MSW, LCSW
Written by:

Iris Waichler

MSW, LCSW
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP
  • Why Do People Cry For No Reason?Underlying Causes
  • Underlying Medical Causes That May Cause CryingMedical Causes
  • When to Get HelpGetting Help
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Why Am I Crying For No Reason InfographicsInfographics
Headshot of Iris Waichler MSW, LCSW
Written by:

Iris Waichler

MSW, LCSW
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP

Humans are the only species that cry in relation to emotions. There has been limited research looking at why people cry. Crying is a normal and healthy response to many different situations. However, if you are crying uncontrollably or very often with no explanation, it can significantly impact your life and ability to function.1 Causes for extreme crying could include depression, medical conditions, joy, and grief.

If you’re struggling with overwhelming feelings, you don’t have to face them alone. BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp

Visit BetterHelp

Why Do People Cry For No Reason?

When people cry, there’s usually an explanation, even when it’s not readily apparent. Although we frequently think of tears in a negative way, crying can offer health benefits. What psychologists call repressive coping can be bad for our health. Studies link repressive coping with a less resilient immune system, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and mental health conditions, including stress, anxiety, and depression.2

Bouts of unexpected crying can be related to or triggered by strong emotions and mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, burnout, grief, and shame.

Here are seven emotional triggers that may cause crying for “no reason”:

1. Depression

Mental Health experts describe mood swings and emotional outbursts as common symptoms of depression. One minute, you may be angry, and the next, you’re crying uncontrollably. In other cases, you may shut down and go numb.3

2. Anxiety & Fear

Uncontrollable episodes of crying can often be linked to anxiety. It can elicit some of the body’s most powerful emotional responses, affecting emotions and causing symptoms like sadness or the urge to cry. Fear can also cause people to cry if they believe they’re powerless or vulnerable to a serious threat.4

3. Burnout

Burnout is a form of complete mental and physical exhaustion created by ongoing chronic stressors. Causes of burnout may include work, parenting (especially for mom), teaching, and caregiving. It’s not unusual to experience unexpected tearful outbursts or crying episodes because of this exhaustion and burnout.5

4. Grief

Uncontrollable crying is often connected to grief. It’s likely that the helplessness and hopelessness associated with attachment-related issues like bereavement, romantic break ups, moves, or separations have the power to elicit tears.6

All of these circumstances relate to grief and loss. Grief can be particularly challenging if people are dealing with disenfranchised grief or ambiguous loss where there is no closure.

5. Shame

Uncontrollable crying can be a logical response to the types of feelings shame evokes, including embarrassment or self-consciousness. Shame often occurs when people move beyond the boundaries of social norms. Research also shows that criers felt worse if they were embarrassed or ashamed of crying, or if they were with unsupportive people.7

6. Feeling Overwhelmed

Feeling overwhelmed is intertwined with feeling stressed. It creates a host of negative emotions.

that can grow and become uncontrollable. Crying acts as a way to release these extreme emotions and cope with feeling overwhelmed.

7. Feeling Empty

Feelings of emptiness can create a confusing internal battle of emotions.8 When emptiness occurs, you may not be able to identify the feelings, but they will likely be related to loneliness, sadness, or feeling numb. These emotions can build up and take an emotional toll that results in crying.

Underlying Medical Causes That May Cause Crying

There are underlying medical issues that could cause people to randomly cry for no apparent reason. These include hormonal imbalances and pseudobulbar affect.

Here are two underlying medical causes that may lead to random crying for no reason:

Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal changes can occur during menstruation, premenstral syndrome (PMS), and menopause. Pregnancy also causes a flood of hormones. Medical experts say that hormonal imbalances can cause mood swings and crying for no reason.8 Hormone imbalance can be treated with medication management to help stabilize mood.

Brain Disorders or Neurological Disease

People may experience uncontrollable crying as a result of an undetected brain disorder. Pseudobulbar affect (PBA), for example, is characterized by episodes of uncontrollable and inappropriate laughing or crying. This typically occurs in people with certain neurological conditions or injuries (e.g., brain injuries, multiple sclerosis (MS), or strokes) that affect the way the brain controls emotion.9 PBA is often treated with medication management.

When to Get Help

If you find that episodes of uncontrollable, unexplained crying seem to be happening with greater intensity and more frequently, it may be time to seek help. If these episodes are interrupting your daily life or negatively impacting relationships, consult your doctor or a mental health professional.

If you choose to seek out a mental health professional, it’s important to find the right therapist for you. Look for someone who has experience treating people with similar issues around emotional lability and unexplained tearful episodes. You can also find therapists that are geographically convenient by consulting a professional therapist directory.

Final Thoughts

Crying is a natural reaction to certain life events, but when it comes out of the blue, often, or at unexpected times, it can be confusing or overwhelming. If random crying for no reason happens to you, talk with your doctor or a mental health professional to further assess the root cause.

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for referrals by the companies mentioned below.

BetterHelp Online Therapy – BetterHelp has over 20,000 licensed therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy. BetterHelp starts at $60 per week. Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Talkspace Online Therapy – Online therapy is convenient with Talkspace. Get therapy for as little as $69 per week, or potentially much less if you have insurance from Cigna, Optum, or UHR. Try Talkspace

Choosing Therapy’s Directory – Find an experienced therapist who is committed to your wellbeing. You can search for a therapist by specialty, availability, insurance, and affordability. Therapist profiles and introductory videos provide insight into the therapist’s personality so you find the right fit. Find a therapist today.

Online Psychiatry & Medication – Answer a few questions and Talkspace will match you with an online prescriber and get schedule a video psychiatry session. Your online psychiatry prescriber will personalize your treatment, which may include psychiatric medication and follow-ups. Get started for $249 or see if your insurance is one of many Talkspace accepts. Learn More

Mindfulness & Meditation App – Headspace is an easy way to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your routine. See for yourself how a few minutes each day can impact your stress levels, mood, and sleep. A monthly subscription for Headspace is only $12.99 per month and comes with a 7-day free trial. Try Headspace

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for referrals by BetterHelp, Talkspace, and Headspace

For Further Reading

  • Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
  • Mental Health America (MHA)
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov

Why Am I Crying For No Reason Infographics

Why Do People Cry For No Reason Emotional Triggers That May Cause Crying For No Reason Getting Help for Uncontrollable Crying

9 sources

Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.

  • L., Zoppi. (November 11, 2020). Why might a person cry for no reason? MedicalNewsToday. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/crying-for-no-reason

  • L., Newhouse. (March 1, 2021). Is Crying Good for You? Harvard Health Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-crying-good-for-you-2021030122020

  • 5 Signs of Depression You Shouldn’t Ignore. University of Colorado Boulder, Health and Wellness Services. Retrieved from https://www.colorado.edu/health/5-signs-depression-you-shouldnt-ignore

  • J., Folk. (May 19, 2021). Anxiety Crying for no Reason. Anxietycentre.com. Retrieved from https://www.anxietycentre.com/anxiety-disorders/symptoms/anxiety-crying/

  • R.m Meulenberg. What are the symptoms of a burnout: Find it out! Milltain. Retrieved from https://milltain.com/burnout/symptoms-burnout/

  • A.J.J. Vingerhoets, L.M., Bylmsa. (May 28, 2015). The Riddle of Human Emotional Crying: A Challenge for Emotion Researchers. Emotion Review Journal. Jul; 8(3):207-217. doi:10.1177/1754073915586226. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6402489/

  • L., Collier. (February 2014). Why we cry. New Research is opening eyes to the psychology of crying. Vol 45, No. 2, page 47. American Psychological Association. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/02/cry

  • Golden Leaf Health Center. No You’re Not Losing Your Mind-Your Hormones Are Just Off. (2021) Retrieved from https://goldenleafhc.com/losing-your-mind-hormones-are-off/.

  • (May 16, 2018). Pseudobulbar Affect. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pseudobulbar-affect/symptoms-causes/syc-20353737

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Headshot of Iris Waichler MSW, LCSW
Written by:

Iris Waichler

MSW, LCSW
Headshot of Trishanna Sookdeo, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Reviewed by:

Trishanna Sookdeo

MD, MPH, FAAFP
  • Why Do People Cry For No Reason?Underlying Causes
  • Underlying Medical Causes That May Cause CryingMedical Causes
  • When to Get HelpGetting Help
  • Final ThoughtsConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
  • Why Am I Crying For No Reason InfographicsInfographics
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