Is Crying For No Reason A Sign Of Anxiety

Causes Of Uncontrollable Crying

Theres still a lot that we dont know about crying, who cries more, and why. Even large studies on crying and its effects rely on people to self-report, which makes results less consistent.

Crying is a tool to communicate an emotional response. It shows people around you that youre feeling something. You may cry more or less, depending on how sensitive you are to stimuli and how comfortable you feel openly showing your emotions.

Many scientists have worked to find out if a good cry that leaves you feeling refreshed is actually possible. Overall, the research is split. It may also depend a lot on how supportive your environment is to showing emotion.

A large study of men and women from around the world found that people report crying one to 10 times per month. In the United States, women reported crying 3.5 times and men reported crying 1.9 times.

This is higher than the global averages, which were 2.7 times for women and 1 time for men. These are just averages and other studies have found different results.

How Do We Understand It When We Are Crying For No Reason

We can start by trying to establish when it started. It is always helpful to understand the context of our feelings, of things that agitate us. Crying for no reason may not be a symptom of depression. It may be more ordinary than that.

It can be helpful to try to keep track of things. Make a note in your diary, monitor it.

• When did you start crying for no reason?
• How long has it been happening?
• How often?
• How long do you cry for?

If you find that you are unable to stop crying for no reason and feel that you should speak with your GP about it, or if you speak with a psychotherapist about it, it will be helpful to have this information to hand.

Sometimes, though the reasons may be appear to be veryobscure, our feelings and emotional reactions to things that happened long agoin the past start to bubble up and touch us in the present. The past comes back to us when we leastexpect it to.

It was my aunts 50th wedding anniversary. I went to the party and on the way went to the house that we grew up in. I looked around the garden, I looked at various places that I could remember myself being in all those years ago. It was rather strange. I had the sense of looking back at myself. It brought up all kinds of feelings. Some happy memories, but also some rather sad and troubling ones.

Anonymous

Can Crying Kill You

No, crying cant kill you, but it could aggravate an underlying medical condition if that condition is aggravated by stress. In many cases, crying is cathartic and a healthy expression of emotion. But don’t cry too much or often, as crying does stress the body. Occasional crying is beneficial whereas too frequent anxiety crying isnt, and can lead to a depressed mood, which also stresses the body.

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How Are Anxiety Disorders Diagnosed

Anxiety disorders can be diagnosed by a trained therapist. They talk with you and your child, ask questions, and listen carefully. They’ll ask how and when the child’s anxiety and fears happen most. That helps them diagnose the specific anxiety disorder the child has.

A child or teen with symptoms of anxiety should also have a regular health checkup. This helps make sure no other health problem is causing the symptoms.

Treatment For Anxiety And Depression In Men

Your doctor is a good source of information and can discuss with you whether what youre experiencing may be anxiety or depression. They can also refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. Any of these health professionals can help you with an action plan, whether or not you are diagnosed with anxiety, depression or both.

Anxiety and depression are like any other conditions there are ways to treat and manage them.

Lifestyle changes, such as spending time with supportive friends and family, regular exercise, getting enough sleep, maintaining a healthy diet and cutting down on alcohol and other drugs are all worthwhile changes that can help to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.

Psychological treatments, including cognitive behaviour therapy, are effective in treating anxiety and depression and are often recommended first, particularly for mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Your doctor may refer you to see a psychologist or other counsellor for this type of treatment.

For some people, antidepressant medication might also be an option. Antidepressants can be effective for both anxiety and depression. They usually take at least 2 weeks before they start to help, and it may also take some time for your doctor to find the medication and dose that is most effective for you.

Read Also: How To Relax Your Mind And Body From Anxiety

What Is An Anxiety Disorder

If your symptoms of anxiety meet a certain criteria, your GP may diagnose you with an anxiety disorder. Some common anxiety disorders include:

• Generalised anxiety disorder feeling anxious or worried most of the time
• Panic disorder having regular panic attacks, often for no apparent reason
• Post-traumatic stress disorder having anxiety problems after experiencing a very stressful or frightening event. It can include flashbacks and nightmares
• Social anxiety disorder a fear or dread of social situations. Its more than just shyness or nerves: its a fear of being judged by others or being embarrassed or humiliated
• Obsessive compulsive disorder having recurring unpleasant thoughts and performing certain routines repetitively to relieve anxiety
• Phobias an overwhelming fear of a specific object, place, situation or feeling.

Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health problems. Up to one in 20 people in the UK have generalised anxiety disorder. Slightly more women than men are affected, and its more common in people aged between 35 and 59.

Factors That See You Crying For No Reason

Here are 9 reasons why you might find yourself constantly crying for no reason.

1. Its actually your physical health.

Before blaming your psychological health, if you are suddenly crying all the time and crying for no reason start with the basics a health check.

A main culprit can be hormonal changes or imbalances, which can be connected to things like thyroid issues, pregnancy, and menopause . And there are other things, such as neurological problems, that can cause crying. This can include emotional lability, which happens after a stroke.

2. You are exhausted.

By: Alexander Baxevanis

Not everyone can manage withouta good sleep. For some people the first thing to go when exhausted is emotional control. If you are suddenly under a lot of stress and its been affecting your sleep, rectifying this situation should be your first port of call.

Learn about good sleep hygiene and start saying no to social events that will see you out late. There will be other things to attend once you are rested up and back on track, and better miss a few parties then, say, sabotage your new job over exhausted emotional outbursts.

3. You are not being honest about what is upsetting you.

It might be that there is a good reason to be crying, and you are simply in denial or telling yourself you are handling it. This could be work stress, like subtle bullying in the workplace. Or it could be parenting issues or relationship conflict.

4. You are suffering emotional shock.

By: Erich Ferdinand

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Depression And Suicide: Getting Help In A Crisis

Some people who are depressed may think about hurting themselves or committing suicide . If you or someone you know is having thoughts about hurting themselves or committing suicide please seek immediate help. The following resources can help:

• Call to reach a 24hour crisis center or dial 911. is the National Suicide Prevention Lifelineexternal icon, which provides free confidential help to people in crisis. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrationexternal icon runs this lifeline.
• Get help from your primary doctor or other health care provider.
• Reach out to a close friend or loved one.
• Contact a minister, spiritual leader, or someone else in your faith community.

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Is It Time To Seek Support

Again, crying itself is not a bad thing. But if you feel that you are dealing with something bigger than your capacity to cope, and it your crying is negatively affecting your day-to-day life, then its definitely a good idea to seek professional support.

A counsellor or psychotherapist can help you understand the real root of your emotional outbursts. They will also help you find useful strategies to help you get through your days and navigate your relationships so that your moods do not damage what is important to you.

Harley Therapy connects you with top therapists in central London who can help you with your out-of-control emotions.

Not in London, or even the UK? Check out our new sister site harleytherapy.com where youll find therapists working across the UK and Skype and phone counselling for every budget and every location.

Still have a question about crying all the time? Ask below in our public comments box.

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Preventing The Crying Feeling

Remember, you shouldnt stop yourself from crying. Cry as much as you need to so that you can let out the feeling of needing to cry. Whether you need to cry randomly, are struggling with anxiety and another condition , or are so overwhelmed with anxiety that the tears just flow out, you should let yourself cry for as long as you need to.

In order to stop crying, you have to act before the urge to cry occurs. The only way to prevent the crying feeling that results from anxiety and stress is to engage in anxiety prevention. You need to control the extent of your anxiety and how you react to it emotionally. Then youll be able to reduce your minds emotional response.

SUMMARY:

When a person feels overwhelmed by emotions, including anxiety, crying acts as a natural stress reduction tool. It is typically a sign that a person can benefit from anxiety and stress reduction treatments. Crying itself is healthy when overwhelmed, so is more important to reduce anxiety than it is to find ways to stop crying.

Personality And Gender Factors

Sometimes, your tendency to cry without reason can depend on your gender or personality. On average, studies show that women cry comparatively more often than men. It could be due to the fact that testosterone tends to constrain crying. Cultural beliefs and norms related to appropriate gender behavior can also explain the differences between men and women.

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Dr. Nick Hayes is the Chief Science Officer at Cumberland Heights, overseeing all research, technology and quality related initiatives for the organization. His research focuses on measurement-based practice systems, digital phenotyping and intensive longitudinal monitoring.

Nicks work highlights Cumberland Heights commitment to outcome-oriented care, using proven techniques to put those struggling with substance use disorder on a path to success.

Nick received his PhD in Couple, Marriage, and Family Therapy from Texas Tech University. He is also on the faculty of Lipscomb University as an adjunct professor of psychology.

Prevalence Of Anxiety And Depression In Men

On average, one in 8 men will have depression and one in 5 men will experience anxiety at some stage of their lives.

Men are less likely to experience anxiety and depression than women. They are also less likely to talk about it. This increases the risk of their anxiety or depression going unrecognised and untreated.

Untreated depression is a high risk factor for suicide. In Australia, there are about 3,000 suicides each year. Around 75% of people who take their lives are men, with an average of almost 7 men taking their lives every day.

Its important to remember that anxiety and depression are conditions, not weaknesses, and effective treatments are available.

and depression not only for you, but for your friends and family. Visit Beyond Blue to find out more about anxiety.

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Anxiety Can Cause Mild To Severe Depression

Anxiety, as a distinct disorder, can affect your social life, your work life, and your ability to find joy in activities. It also puts a great deal of stress on your mind and body.

Anxiety may reduce your involvement in activities that would usually give you pleasure and fulfillment. If this continues over time, it can lead to depression. In fact, depression is often a comorbid diagnosis with anxiety. In many cases, anxiety comes first and contributes to the development of depression.

Anxiety may not necessarily cause long-lasting depression, but the stress on your brain and the feelings of constant fear and fatigue can often lead to a temporary low mood and, thus, crying.

Does Crying Raise Your Blood Pressure

It can, but only temporarily with normal crying. Crying stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which stresses the body. Therefore, crying stresses the body. Stress increases blood pressure. While occasional crying can be a benefit and reduce stress, too frequent or dramatic crying can stress the body and raise blood pressure.

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Does Crying Help Relieve Anxiety

Yes, it can as long as you cry in moderation. Excessive and over-emotional crying stresses the body, which can exacerbate anxiety and stress. While occasional crying can release pent up emotions and reduce stress, which is healthy, frequent and dramatic crying could compound anxiety, stress, and their symptoms, including anxiety crying spells.

What Are Anxiety Attacks

Anxiety attack is not an official clinical term. The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , a book the vast majority of mental health professionals abide by, does not list it. Instead, the term anxiety attack is a colloquial phrase coined by people who have anxiety.

The term anxiety attack is used to describe intense or extended periods of anxiety. An attack is more overwhelming and intense than just having anxiety. But its not as severe as a panic attack. According to her book Stop Anxiety from Stopping You, Dr. Helen Odessky notes that the term anxiety attack became more common because people started feeling like anxiety was interrupting their life. As more and more clients began using it in therapy, mental health professionals began forming a more detailed definition.

Still, while the distinction between anxiety vs. panic attacks has become clearer over time, there isnt yet an official definition for an anxiety attack.

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