Username: dragon_calves

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

Is rumination both the obsession and compulsion?

A compulsion is supposed to relieve your anxiety/distress, right? Well I don’t feel better after ruminating. I’m just thinking in circles about something scary. Does this mean it isn’t a compulsion? Is it part of obsessing? Or maybe it is a compulsion and I don’t realize that in some ways it is making me feel better? Thoughts? I think this would change how yo respond to rumination, but I’m not sure. Thanks :)

Username: Phillip91Phillip91

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

https://drmichaeljgreenberg.com/rumination-is-a-compulsion-not-an-obsession-and-that-means-you-have-to-stop/ Yes, rumination is a compulsion. It’s my main one as well and it definitely makes me feel worse when I do it. For me it’s like I’m torturing myself until I find an answer that calms me, only to then begin questioning all over again. My ERP therapist told me to read and practice this and it’s been a huge help! It’s hard to train yourself to stop but it gets easier with time. https://drmichaeljgreenberg.com/how-to-stop-ruminating/

Username: dragon_calvesdragon_calves

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

@Phillip91 Thanks so much! This is so helpful :) is your rumination always problem solving? Like I said before, sometimes I’m just thinking over and over about stuff. Maybe I’m doing more than I realize…

Username: Phillip91Phillip91

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

@dragon_calves You’re welcome! And no, most of my rumination is self talk, or just indulging in my fear and thinking about it nonstop. The articles on Dr. Greenberg’s website go deeper into what he classifies as rumination. Basically anything after an initial intrusive thought popping into your head is controllable even though it feels like we can’t. I feel the struggle! I’m a deep thinker and always have something on my mind that I’m contemplating. it’s a habit I’m really trying to learn how to break!

Username: KosIsFacingItKosIsFacingIt

Date posted: 2y ago

Not all compulsions make you feel better, some make it worse, from personal experience Atleast, I couple of months ago I went through bad HOCD and I was googling a lot of stuff about sexuality, it ended up becoming a complusion, over and over I would read these things and I will make it worse, I think some conclusions temporarily help it and some just make it worse and some don’t do anything at all, good luck mate

Username: Tidalthoughts2125Tidalthought...

Date posted: 2y ago

It can be seen as a form of trying to seek reassurance from yourself I think, I still struggle with internal moral rumination and can spiral for hours, often trying to seek redemption or piece missing memories together to see if I'm bad or not. It makes the anxiety worse but the need to know is the obsession and rumination on it would be my compulsion.

Username: McDuckoMcDucko

Date posted: 2y ago

Rumination is a compulsion caused by an obsession.

Username: NicaNica

Date posted: 2y ago

Yes it is a compulsion

Username: AnonymousAnonymous

Date posted: 2y ago

I feel the same

Username: Moha🍃Moha🍃

Date posted: 2y ago

Are you trying rationalize and argue with the thoughts?

Username: dragon_calvesdragon_calves

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

@Moha Ahh good question. I don’t think so… lately I have been focused on my husband. So it is endless thinking about all the stuff he does. I don’t think I’m arguing with the thoughts. Would this just make it obsessions?

Username: dragon_calvesdragon_calves

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 2y ago

@dragon_calves But I’m clearly engaging with the thoughts because they spiral.

Username: Moha🍃Moha🍃

Date posted: 2y ago

@dragon_calves That needs to stop, do not engage with the thoughts, it's pointless, why ? Because OCD doesn't care about logic, I like to look at OCD as the hydra, you take one head, another two takes its place, same as OCD, if you answer an OCD question it will bombard with you more questions, it's an endless spiral, you see know ? I used to to answer OCD as well but I noticed that it is pointless.

Username: Stronger.

Date posted: 4y ago

Obsession or compulsion? I'm getting so confused. So normally something scary pops into my head and I start thinking about it. And I pull in other things, related things, or make it a lot worse than it it. I can think myself to the point of a panic attack. I thought this was a compulsion, because I can do it for hours and if I'm interrupted I have to start over. But I stop doing it because it does me no good and brings me to panic levels of anxiety. I'm really confused now because I'm starting ERP and the goal of exposure is to get myself really anxious. Well googling and ruminating is what makes me really anxious..... but it's also what I do for hours and can't stop... so.... what do I do? If I obsess and google to the point of a panic attack to "expose" myself then what? I would still just google and obsess. ? If I have the initial thought and just don't ruminate it just goes away and I'm no longer anxious. And that seems way too easy. I can't be doing this right.

Username: Kiki84

Date posted: 2y ago

Rumination as a compulsion and how to treat it

I am feeling conflicted when it comes to treatment and would like some advice. I suffer from Pure O, and all of my compulsions are in the form of rumination. If my therapist tells me to ‘lean in’ to the thoughts and even dissect and think about that thought/worry more - is this not akin to telling someone with contamination OCD to mindfully wash their hands? The initial microsecond thought is the normal human thoughts everyone gets - that’s normal and can’t be stopped, the rabbit hole ruminating that follows is technically analytical thinking therefor it should be able to be stopped. Does this resonate with anyone and has anyone experienced similar? I’m definitely experiencing some OCD around treatment and my therapist (am I doing this right etc) but I also feel my question is valid and I want to ensure I am following the right treatment path. Thank you!

"Pure" OCD

Username: sophmad99

Date posted: 1y ago

Ruminations?

Hey everyone, so I’ve been diagnosed with and trying to manage OCD for nearly 6 months now and I’m finding it difficult to figure out how to get around my mental compulsions and rumination. It seems harder to me to recognize a mental compulsion over a physical compulsion and to stop doing it, though I’m sure both are equally difficult. Any advice for dealing with these? I’ve been trying to practice may or may not statements but sometimes it’s hard to find the right one. Thanks for your help!

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