- Date posted
- 2y ago
Hello
How does one stop ruminating it seems impossible!?
How does one stop ruminating it seems impossible!?
Check out aguywhohikes on instagram he is one of the ocdrecovery.org coaches and has some really good explanations about how rumination functions. The spoiler tho is that automatic rumination you don’t stop, while you can bring down some of the engagement with the rumination, most thoughts come automatically. I’m sorry if you are suffering, I’m there a lot too. I hope this helps, and that you find days where symptoms are less present. Cheers
@Anonymous Thanks for the help I hardly have any moments when the thoughts and anxiety isn’t flowing in but sometimes I briefly do
Thank you so much! That one is extremely helpful! ❤️❤️
@KTSylva Good article. Thank you for sharing. It takes a change in perspective when it comes to your thoughts. It definitely takes some practice though. Rewiring our brains to not react with the feeling in response to the thought can take time.
Do we ever get to be certain when this is all done or is it a life time of uncertainty
No human can ever be certain of these things, the difference is people with OCD obsess over the cracks of doubt that will always exist if you look for them. It's not our fault - it's a mental health disorder! During recovery I have found that the moments when I've felt ok and like my old self haven't been because I've been certain, it's been because I just wasn't bothered by the doubt. Unfortunately when you're in the throws of OCD or have been triggered this all goes out the window and there is no point trying to apply any logic or reassurance to the thoughts because it just isn't going to stick. That's why learning to not respond, accept the anxiety and have faith is all you can do in those moments. ERP helps you get better at noticing these moments and knowing what to do to help.
I am actually going to disagree with aguywhohikes.. I was a part of their group for awhile and they are just a few ppl who are in recovery from ocd. I found more help on rumination from NOCD- it is about our engagement with the thoughts and we do have a choice to not run down the rabbit holes of rumination. It takes work but I have more peace now then I did when working with ocdrecovery- they mainly told me I had to be ok with any of my fears happening.
@KTSylva But I also think different people will have success with different techniques. But ERP is definitely more effective for more ppl
Do you have a link maybe? 😊
@KTSylva Yeah, I mentioned engagement as well and I think we probably agree on that. For me, intrusive thoughts and rumination go hand in hand, and like the old adage goes “don’t think about the pink elephant” I can’t stop the thoughts, I do have a choice to give non engaging responses and not answer the questions of the rumination though. Anywho, glad you are finding more peace now in your recovery that’s great
Keep at the ERP, it will get easier to notice when you're doing it and return to the present.
I'm having the hardest time right now with my own ruminating negative thoughts that may or may not possibly come true. I fear the worst and replay what that looks like in my head over and over. The best I can do is my best and wait for the horror to end. I want to cry, but can't. I'm scared and alone in my head. My anxiety is extreme. What should I do in the meantime while I'm going through this? How can I minimize or stop the way I'm feeling? Please, I need help.
Advice needed please: Has anybody ever been in a situation where something traumatic or heartbreaking was happening in their life and struggled with rumination? I know there is like a normal amount that you should process something and cry it out but I don’t know that it is conducive to anything to do that on and off for hours? Wouldn’t it at a certain point be considered unhelpful rumination? And if so how does one stop? Because I’m going through something so hurtful and confusing that I don’t know how to stop thinking about it and the usual distractions don’t work for very long. And idk how important this is but it just happened today so it’s very fresh which makes it even harder to not think about and “figure out” why x, y, z happened. Goodness, I’m sorry if I’m weird or a baby
When you get a stuck thought in your mind, as stupid or untrue as it may be, how do any of you block them out, or try to at least? It’s like my mind has another voice telling me making up the stupidest things?
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