Crying behavior and psychiatric disorder in adults: a review

Crying is a common human behavior that is encountered in varied clinical settings. However, its relationship to mood and psychiatric disorders remains unclear. In this report, the relevant literature on the relationship of crying behavior and psychiatric disorders is reviewed. Two clinically distinct types of crying behavior are identified. The relationship of "functional" crying with mood is inconsistent, but some trends suggest an apparent reduction in the behavior with worsening depression. "Organic" crying has attracted relatively more attention recently and is associated with a wide variety of neurological lesions, but neither the cerebral localization of the behavior nor its relationship to coexisting mood is clear. The clinical typologies, possible functional roles, and etiology of the behavior are discussed, and suggestions are made for future research.