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.

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

Menstruation

Hormonal changes that occurTrusted Source 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%Trusted Source 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:

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

Other symptoms of postpartum depression can include:

Burnout

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

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

Some other features of burnout include:

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:

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 weeksTrusted Source.

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 processTrusted Source 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 disconnectTrusted Source 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:

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

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.

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:

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

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.

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.