- Date posted
- 6y
- Date posted
- 6y
Sometimes if I feel like I’m going “down the rabbit hole” of rumination, I try to remind myself that it’s a compulsion and do my best to focus my thoughts elsewhere. But, if I find that my brain will ruminate whether or not I give it permission, I just let it do its thing. BUT, and this is important, I consistently interrupt it saying to myself “this is a compulsion”, and even try to name what kind of compulsion it is (self reassurance, checking, scenario twisting, etc). My therapist has said that even if you perform a compulsion (intentional or not), if you can recognize what it is and say “my OCD wants me to think this helped me, but I know it didn’t”, then you’ve still won. The trick is not believing the lie that the compulsions help, even if they’ve already happened. You can always look back and change the story you tell yourself about compulsions, and it sort of “neutralizes” them. Hope that helps makes sense? Rumination is my number one compulsion, it can be really hard. You’re not alone!!
- Date posted
- 6y
I found this video very helpful on how to stop ruminating. Might be worth checking out for you too. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qUFvvlnCvSg
- Date posted
- 6y
thank you guys this really helped ?
- Date posted
- 6y
Yep, baby steps I'm noticing that I'm having the thought that_________ And I'm noticing that I'm having the thought that___________ And now I'm choosing to _________ and best of all it's my choice so no matter how many times I'll get caught up in the rumination I can always come back to my choice . Because it's my choice to stop ruminating . It's not me it's my OCD. But what if it's not ocd ? A. Than I wouldn't have the thought B. I wouldnt notice that I had the thought I'll let you take the leapof faith
- Date posted
- 6y
I’d like to know as well, haha.
Related posts
- Date posted
- 16w
I have really started to take control of my compulsions and im starting to string together better days! Still not great days or even good, but they are better!!! I have controlled my outward compulsions (googling, research, reassurance, checking) the past couple of days and felt the positive impact of that. But unfortunately, I am realizing that the rumination is still constant. My sexuality and relationship are the only two things constantly on my brain, and if they aren’t I freak out and wonder why im not thinking about them! Anyone have any advice on how to deal with the rumination. Sometimes I don’t even notice im doing it, but it’s taking up 90% of my day. Once I start to tackle this I think I may make some real big progress! Hope everyone is fighting today! ❤️
- Date posted
- 14w
I ruminated too much this morning and got distressing mental images (and confirmation) which sent me spiraling again. How do I stop thinking about this and how do I get back to myself? I feel destroyed.
- Date posted
- 10w
I've been doing well the past month in cutting down on compulsions and have been feeling better however, last night I had a set back that carried on into today. I had gotten very poor sleep (4ish hours) and then something triggered my memory. I think with the sudden anxiety spike and lack of sleep I didn't have the strength to ignore my compulsions. Last night and today I've realised I've gone back into rumination and mentally reviewing the event excessively again and comparing my situation to other people's, but most of the times that I start going down these rabbit holes I don't even realise I'm doing it? Also been fixating a bit on the fear that I've ruined my progress and that I will fall back into the deep end of it all again, that I have done so much work getting myself out of, although trying my best to not be too discouraged. Does anyone have any advice on how to deal with rumination more specifically?
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