Rumination question

Sometimes I feel like if I didn’t have my OCD thoughts to focus on…what else would I be thinking about? Like my rumination has almost become my hobby - and my brain doesn’t know what else to focus on instead. Has anyone ever experienced this? My OCD ruminations involves a tv show/characters and my compulsions include checking social media incessantly, news outlets, etc - anywhere that I can get information. There are days I feel like this will be the rest of my life and I am trapped. How do I break out of this? Thanks for listening.

Username: jser92jser92

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 35w ago

Mine does this exact thing. I feel like I could’ve written this myself. I noticed staying active but not too active helps me because I’m restless when I’m constantly switching apps and stuff. So cleaning/chores makes me physically tired and lessens the symptoms a bit

Username: NJmomNJmom

Date posted: 34w ago

@jserrano92 Thanks so much for this. Just seeing this now, my app was malfunctioning. When you say not too active, what does that mean?

Username: rango rango

Date posted: 35w ago

same thing happens to me!! Even if there is nothing to stress over, I will find something to obsessively think about. My brain refuses to sit still. As to how help that, I’m not so sure. I’m also learning how to deal with it.

Username: poppylalapoppylala

User type: OCD Conqueror

Date posted: 35w ago

My brain acts like this too. I use my ERP homework sometimes as practice so there is some time of the day that I am intentionally trying to quiet my lizard brain from replaying stuff, even if it's stuff I like but use to soothe myself to avoid something else, even if it's seemingly automatic. There are no good compulsions because they all strengthen your bond to doubt and OCD's wreckage ... but the more you practice your OCD therapy and homework that is time you're spending being proactive and strengthening your bond and honoring yourself that you want a life other than your google searches and social media someday. I hope that helps. Much luck to your journey.

Username: Stephanie75Stephanie75

Date posted: 35w ago

same thing here- rumination over whatever topic it is for the week and it just spirals and spirals as my brain spins. can't stop thinking about these things. driving me crazy.

Username: coccorocco

Date posted: 3y ago

Has anyone else become obsessed with something related to politics or news? For the past two weeks I can’t stop thinking about one issue and I end up researching it endlessly. And when I’m not researching it I’m ruminating on it constantly, basically from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep. I want to stop thinking about it because it’s exhausting but I feel like I can’t. I don’t know if this is my OCD manifesting or if I just have an obsessive brain and fixate on things. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Any tips on ERP for this?

Username: Leanne

Date posted: 3y ago

Good morning, can I ask what other people do to keep their mind busy and to stop you ruminating? Do you use self talk about real life, whats happening now? Decisions to make, watching TV etc? I’m just so use to ruminating for hours on end, for years, I’ve forgot how to behave otherwise. It seems like I’m either paying attention to the mind and trying to stop ruminating or, my mind is quiet and I just go through the motions of the day. I’ve got no strategy on going forward/recovering. I try and leave the mind alone and do a Pilates class but my mind is elsewhere not on Pilates but thinking OCD thoughts, what my mind is doing etc, I think I need to keep it focused on real life but I don’t know how. Is self talk the key? Any advice would be HUGELY APPRECIATED 💕

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!

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Rumination question

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