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Why do I get so emotional over nothing?

199 Answers
Last Updated: 06/10/2022 at 9:28pm
Why do I get so emotional over nothing?
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Jennifer Fritz, LMSW, PhD

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

Day to day life can be stressful and overwhelming and my strength is assisting my clients in a supportive, empowering and practical manner.

Top Rated Answers
soulsings
June 26th, 2016 3:50am
We have an inner child that has been wounded and neglected time after time while we were growing up. When we find ourselves getting hurt it is often the wounds of the inner child being reopened. It is not nothing, it is just a trigger that touches a hurting place inside. Time to heal the inner child.
Anonymous
June 25th, 2016 9:29pm
🙅"Why do I get so emotional over nothing?"😭 There are many potential reasons why one may feel 'overly-emotional'. Let's start off with one of my favorite sayings: 💘"Don't compare your insides to other people's outsides."💝 This aphorism concisely expresses to me that one should not judge the validity of their feelings by comparing them to their perception of other's emotions- or "outsides." People react and respond differently to the same or similar situations....some let their emotions out while others are more prone to stuffing or hiding their emotions... And you really can't know for certain what others are feeling by looking at them. All to say- what you feel inside counts even if no-one else SEEMS to be sharing these feelings. My next point is one of contention: the use of the word "nothing." It is harsh self-judgement! If you are responding emotionally- and since you count as a person- then it follows that whatever is behind your emotions is NOT nothing, but SOMETHING... however big or small a value our cultural norms assign them. Another thing to keep in mind is that some persons are more sensitive than others. You could also be going through a more sensitive time in your life. That's not good or bad- it just is! If you truly feel that you are acting out of chatacter, then there are things like hormone levels that can affect your tendency to emote more intensely. PMS anyone? Low levels of testosterone? All play a role! As do neurotransmitters in emotional sensitivity. If you are low on norepinephrine, dopamine, or serotonin (to name a few) then it might be time to look into addressing these issues. There are also issues like a recent loss, trauma, loneliness, experiencing stigma, major life changes, and stress that can make us more prone to be sensitive and emotional all around. Not to mention depression, pts, anxiety, insomnia, chronic pain... all play a role. If you feel that your sensitivity is something that is seriously interfering with your life then by all means- talk about it and seek help in a way that makes sense to you. But don't just let cultural norms tell you what is "normal." YOU ARE NORMAL. Be beautiful- BE YOURSELF! YOU are here. You FEEL. You COUNT. It is NOT nothing. Actually... it is quite something amazing and miraculous that you have emotions in what can be such a callous world that suppresses their expression more often than not. Just a few quick thoughts on a saturday afternoon... EMOTE!! Talk to a listener. You will make our day! @ThisCrazyLife77 #biglove
Anonymous
June 22nd, 2017 2:31pm
I know you say it's over nothing,but it's probably over something even if you don't know what it is.
AlucardTheSavior
June 30th, 2016 10:52pm
Nothings "Wrong" with you. You just have really sensitive emotions. Certain colors, songs, even pictures make me cry. You just need to ask yourself what about it made you cry. Is it because it reminds you of something? Or because it makes you think of something that makes you feel like something is about to burst inside you? (Metaphorically of course)
Anonymous
July 8th, 2016 3:33pm
The human heart is wild and when you have a huge heart you tend to be more sensitive and emotional to things. Being emotional for no reason can also be caused by a psychological disorder, such as bipolar disorder or depression alone. Those crazy hormones can cause you to be more emotional than normal as well. It sounds funny, but pinch yourself immediately when you start feeling emotional to remind yourself not to be that way. What can also help is, meditation, exercising, yoga, thinking positive and on the bright side of things, and closing your eyes, counting slowly to 10; inhaling and exhaling by every number. You can also take a walk somewhere to get away from things for awhile and have some time to yourself. What has always helped me was going outside and being around nature. Being around nature, for me, calms me down immediately because it's just so peaceful and beautiful. Of course I live in the country so it might be hard to do so if you live in the city. Have faith in yourself, you will get over these hard times.
YesICan199
June 24th, 2016 8:40pm
Perhaps there is more to why you're emotional? Are there bottled emotions that you don't talk about or repressed feelings from an even in the past? If so perhaps you may need to talk to someone and try to sort out your feelings.
enigmaticMoment64
July 1st, 2016 4:49pm
If you get emotional, chances are it is not "nothing", otherwise you wouldn't feel as strongly. I think the better way to describe it is to react in a way that is not appropriate to the issue. And usually that happens because it triggers past experiences and emotions that fall in line with what just happened, or the topic. Say, someone ignores what you said. That's a little annoying, but not a huge problem in itself. But it still can make you feel really uncomfortable and sad despite that fact, if it happened many times before and you feel like you are not important and everyone ignores you. So that event is a trigger, not a cause. Realizing this (for yourself and others) can help a lot to work at the actual cause. Like in the example - feeling like you are not important. It also helps you to communicate this to your friends/family in a more constructive way and explain why your response is so strong
DarlingHoldOn
July 5th, 2017 9:22pm
Maybe because you've been bottling up your emotions for a while ? Maybe you're going through a tough time right now and it's getting too much for you ? Open up love. Talk about what is bothering you or hurting you. Talk to a loved one or a friend or even a listener here. Get it all out of your chest. That might calm you a little or help you.
Anonymous
July 6th, 2016 10:33pm
You may be dwelling over a situation deep inside and have not dealt with it properly so you're emotions are getting intense over everything. You should probably talk to a therapist about it.
DA5ht
November 28th, 2021 4:06pm
First off, never feel like you're emotional over nothing. You have emotions for a reason. Its your mind and bodies way of letting you know something is or isn't right. Even if something seems mundane or simply the reason for your emotions to be coming out. Take it as an opportunity to grow and learn about the world around you and how it makes you feel. Then evaluate if you can control the way you feel. Practice being in the presence of emotionally triggering stimuli. You may learn or come to know more things about yourself that you tend to neglect or suppress.
ThatGuyWithTheJokes
April 4th, 2018 8:04pm
It could be a sign of an underlying mental illness. Perhaps paranoia, depression or something else. However, the far more likely answer is that you're simply overly sensitive at the moment due to something else in your life causing you grief or sadness. Take a moment to reflect on how you can improve your own happiness and create a plan for yourself. Do things that you like to do, go places you've never been, hang out with that one friend you haven't seen in a while. When all of this is done and you're feeling a little better, I'm sure you'll find that you no longer overreact to little things.
MymindMakesense
August 14th, 2016 6:00am
I have those moments, As well. during those times, I realized, I can't control the future. It's never as worst than you think. Counseling will help, If you truly want to work on fight the root or whats triggering you to be emotional. Reading ways to cope, Like taking certain exercises on the 7 cups of tea website. Your need help on trying to find the root.
merciwrath
August 7th, 2016 8:13am
I believe that you can never be emotional over nothing, there is always something rational going on when you feel like that, and it is never your fault
FoodForTheSoul
July 21st, 2016 5:35am
One of the reasons I can identify is you possess a lot of built-up emotional tension that you haven't released. So when a trifle presents itself, you tend to recruit the same patterns that you did when you were faced with a legit and challenging emotional trauma.
Positivebelief27
September 29th, 2017 5:36am
Everyone is unique and have different traits which makes them awesome. If you are the person who gets emotional over nothing then you are the strongest person as expressing emotions are signs of a tough person in actuality,
AngelicPenguin
July 1st, 2018 1:54pm
Some people are just naturally over-sensitive so its nothing to worry about. Sometimes we may need to however find ways to cope with these natural feelings and every person has a different way of coping with different mood swings so you should really ask yourself how you can manage
FindTheBeauty
July 20th, 2016 7:31pm
Getting emotional over a lot of things has a lot of explanations. You may just be hypersensitive. This is when we simply are very emotionally fragile. This could be because of a hormonal imbalance, past experience, or disorder. Sometimes we are just overwhelmed and don't share our feelings enough. Hang in there, and remember that there is nothing wrong with feeling life the way it comes. If you want to cry, cry. If you want to be so very happy, do so. If you're angry, be angry. You are alive so live and feel. Just remember that others have feelings as well.
michelle2000
July 20th, 2016 7:26pm
If you're getting emotional over it, then it's probably not nothing. It may seem like nothing, but it must matter to you if it makes you feel emotional.
Anonymous
March 29th, 2018 10:11pm
As humans we sometimes think we get emotional over nothing, but its something. Even the most simple, and small things make people emotional..
GabrielaaTaker
August 9th, 2018 3:26am
Sometimes your mind can be saying things to you that you may not understand. Always be there for yourself and try to understand the feelings and emotions you are having.
Anonymous
July 16th, 2018 5:40am
Sometimes when we are going through things inside it can appear outside as a way to let us know that something isn't right and we should stop and take inventory of ourselves.
ananabanana
January 26th, 2018 9:41pm
You might be feeling like everything is overwhelming and oppressive, although it really shouldn't be. Write down everything that makes you upset and try identify a pattern and layout your mind on paper.
Tush05
July 22nd, 2018 11:53am
Well, if it happens to you, which means you are a very emotional person and relate things with yourself. You put yourself in that position or in their shoes and that’s how you get emotional. You must have gone through those stages and feels the pain in being such kind of situations. It is very hard or I would say impossible to come out of that kind of nature. The best way is to help others, it may people, animal or any kind of species and when you do that, it let you forget their pain and makes you feel better
AmethystUnicorn
June 10th, 2022 9:28pm
Some things weigh heavier than others, emotionally. It can feel very different from one person to another as everyone processes situations and emotions very differently. It's important to remember that your feelings are valid, always. No matter the feeling, even if it isn't rooted in facts, it is valid. Does that mean that you need to let the feeling linger or sit with you? Of course not, but they are all valid. What helps me process hard emotions the most, is journaling. Different coping skills work differently for different people, but sometimes it's relieving to release those thoughts onto paper through writing. It can take awhile to find what coping skill(s) work best for you, but it's good to have a strong "coping skill toolbox". I wish you all the best
hopefulWillow86
July 28th, 2018 9:57pm
Emotions are experienced differently by different people. There are no right or wrong ways to experience them. Try embracing your emotions as they come. Be angry when you are angry, sad when you are sad, and happy when you are happy. You may not always have the ability to control your emotions, but you always have the ability to choose how you act on your emotions. Managing your emotions more effectively can also be a bit easier when you take care of your overall health. Try to eat well, sleep enough, exercise, and limit the use of psychoactive substances.
MsSpearmint
July 29th, 2018 10:21am
It's likely not about nothing, but that the shock of whatever it was has made you forget in this moment.
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2018 6:06pm
it’s not over nothing, maybe you bottle feelings up until you just have to let something out. Being emotional isn’t necessarily bad, it just means you’re able to feel more then others.
Anonymous
August 2nd, 2018 8:51pm
It's normal to feel strong emotions, and it is common to have them come up over things are brains tell us are "nothing." As scary as it can feel, sometimes it's worth investigating both the feelings and the "nothing" to learned about our emotional reactions and what triggers them. Good luck!
Anonymous
August 8th, 2018 9:05am
It's unlikely that being emotional can be over nothing, there is likely a route that hasn't been identified. Be this your current physical state or your mental state and factors around you.
Keutina
November 14th, 2018 7:52am
It may appear that you're being emotional over nothing, but it most likely means there is something bothering you that you haven't put your finger on. Misplaced or unidentified emotions can burst out in inappropriate forms or moments. Trying to sort through what triggers the emotional outbursts, preferably with a trained professional, can help you deal with them adequately. It can also help if, when you get emotional, you stop and reflect on what was the immediate cause. You could even write it down, it can end up showing you a pattern of triggers, and help you get to the underlying cause of it.