Clinical assessment of crying and crying inhibition based on attachment theory.

Abstract

Crying is attachment behavior triggered in infancy by separation and throughout life by loss. Adult crying, as reported and demonstrated in psychotherapy, reflects the quality of early attachment experiences as well as current adult bonds. Specific instances, as well as overall patterns, of crying and inhibited crying may be understood in light of attachment styles, biological factors, and socialization. Types of adult crying (healthy crying, crying for no reason, prolonged or frequent crying associated with depression or physiological disorders) and types of inhibited crying (healthy tearlessness, pervasive emotional control, detached tearlessness, and displaced crying) reflect attachment style and may, in addition, be assessed as healthy or symptomatic of psychological or physiological disorders or a combination.