Crying is a complex physiological and emotional response involving the shedding of tears . It typically occurs in response to strong emotions—such as sadness, joy, fear, or anger—or from physical pain or eye irritation . Humans are the only species that cry emotional tears .    Crying   is the dropping of   tears   (or welling of tears in the eyes) in response to an   emotional state   or   physical pain . Emotions that can lead to crying include   sadness ,   anger ,   joy , and   fear . Crying can also be caused by relief from a period of   stress   or   anxiety , or as an   empathetic   response. The act of crying has been defined as "a complex   secretomotor   phenomenon characterized by the shedding of tears from the   lacrimal apparatus , without any irritation of the   ocular structures", instead, giving a relief which protects from   conjunctivitis . [ 1 ]   ...