Unexpected crying how do you handle it

If you find yourself crying for no apparent reason fairly often, it doesn't make you a bad person. But it could mean you're dealing with an underlying physical or mental health condition. Here are some of the most common explanations behind your uncontrollable crying. If you find yourself uncontrollably crying during a happy event or laughing hysterically during a sad event, you may have a condition called pseudobulbar affect PBA.

PBA is a neurological disorder, meaning that it is caused by damage to the nervous system. It is characterized by sudden, uncontrollable and inappropriate crying or laughing.

PBA usually occurs as a result of a traumatic brain injury or another neurological condition such as:. Many people with PBA are unaware that they have a real condition and rarely tell a doctor about their symptoms so they don't receive treatment. Doctors also don't usually screen for PBA because many don't know about it. However, the condition has been documented for over years.

Almost 2 million people in the U. Many cases go undiagnosed, so the actual number may be as high as 7 million. There are different theories about which brain structures are involved in PBA. One theory is that there is damage to the cerebro-ponto-cerebellar pathways, which adjust laughter or crying to match the situation. Another theory is that there is damage to pathways in motor areas of the cerebral cortex that inhibit laughter and crying. Frequently crying for no reason may also be a sign of a mental health issue.

Crying can be a symptom of various forms of grief. Acute grief resulting from a situation such as the loss of a loved one is one type. In addition, there is chronic grief, usually related to an ongoing situation in your life e. In general, crying that is part of grief is only treated if it is considered part of a depressive disorder or is significantly disruptive to one's functioning. Major depression also involves crying; however, it has other features such as sleep issues, lack of enjoyment of usual activities, and appetite changes.

PBA is sometimes also mistaken for depression. One way to distinguish them is based on the trigger; PBA seems to lack a trigger or be triggered in inappropriate ways. Uncontrollable crying can have negative effects on your life. Below are some of the things you might experience:. The treatments for uncontrollable crying depend on the underlying cause. PBA may be treated with low doses of tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs such as citalopram or fluoxetine.

It was actually discovered quite accidentally while testing it to treat ALS patients. Stress management skills often don't come naturally. You can learn new stress management skills or modify your existing stress management skills to help you cope better.

These techniques can be practiced, learned and incorporated into your daily life. First, take a look at how you react to stress. Some people seem to take everything in stride. Their naturally laid-back attitudes shine through, even in stressful situations. Another deadline? They can handle it. The dishwasher is leaking? No problem. It will be a simple repair.

Others get anxious at the first sign of a stressful situation. Running late for a meeting? Time to panic! Stuck in a traffic jam? Let the cursing begin! Here are some common but unhealthy reactions to stress. Do any of these describe your reactions? If you're not sure, consider keeping a daily journal for a week or so to monitor your reactions to stressful situations.

Once you've identified the unhealthy reactions you may be having to uncontrolled stress, you can begin to improve your stress management skills.

Stress management techniques abound, including:. Stress usually doesn't just get better on its own. We explain rapid shifts in mood and how they may be a symptom of a…. Yoga is a tremendous practice, but does it provide enough exercise on its own? Here are four recommended exercises to complement yoga for optimal….

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Here's a guide to identifying potential commitment issues and overcoming them. Alexithymia is a difficulty recognizing emotions, and is sometimes seen along with depression, autism, or brain injury, among other conditions. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Timothy J.

Legg, Ph. How to stop crying Dealing with stress Moving forward Overview People often cry at funerals, during sad movies, and when listening to sad songs. How can I stop crying?