Hi all. By far and away rumination is my biggest compulsion, and I find it feels very automatic. Does anyone have tips who have overcome rumination that has felt automatic in the past? I am guessing its not an all or nothing thing, that even regular people ruminate on occasion but gently bring themselves out of it. I think I'm probably trying to control it too much, which can become an obsession in itself

Thank you so much Jolie, I'm having a hard time just now because it's like my OCD has thrown up a thought that I feel I cannot be uncertain about you know, but that's most likely what is keeping me stuck when I think about it, I cant imagine looking back on this thought and seeing it as ridiculous, like my now past ones, but I also felt that way about them too, thinking is fun😂😂

@Jay Mc Right! 😂 When we’re in the midst of an OCD peak with a new obsession, it feels like it’s a whole new thing and it’s just too distressing to treat. It feels different and special, but in reality is just OCD playing tricks as usual. I’m going through that now with a new obsession. You’ve got this! It’s important to have a sense of humor about this all, I’m glad you do!

@Jolie Honestly I've always been a very serious person, I think generally being an anxious person from a young age made me that way, always on the defensive. But a blessing to have come from struggling with OCD is that its paradoxical, and a sense of humour helps me see the thoughts for what they are, random stories our brains tell us

@Jolie Btw someone here suggested I listen to Dr Michael Greenberg, he has totally changed my perspective on rumination and how it is totally in our control, ill link the ocd stories podcast I listened to below, hopefully it can benefit you if you haven't listened already https://youtu.be/PcFTi7HJYnk

@Jay Mc Thank you so much! I’m glad he has helped you and I’m excited to see what I learn!

Thank you, I shall look him up

Just want to say, I watched him on the ocd stories podcast there, he has totally flipped things round for me, the idea that rumination is 100% controllable has helped greatly. I'm going to put it into practise, thank you

I think it probably helps to see it all as rumination doesn't it, thats what Ali Greymond suggests too. Anytime we Google, research, seek reassurance whatever, its all rumination on the thought that leads us to then DO the actions, the rumination is the engagement and taking the thought seriously, so it seems like the bridge between intrusive thought - compulsion. Its an interesting approach, definitely going to read more about it and look to implement myself.

@Jay Mc I was really surprised to realize that I do compulsive googling and research. I thought that it was the way I cope, it helps me to calm down; but I never realized that it is a perfect fuel for more thoughts and keeping my attention on the issue/obsession, and is the urge to figure it out (aka doing something about it, even in this mental engagement form).

@Jay Mc Are you doing ERP? Is it applicable for rumination?

@allitta Yes. Sit with the thoughts, just watch them, don’t engage

@allitta I am not doing ERP with a professional rather learning to sit with the thoughts and feelings myself, but it absolutely is applicable to rumination as it is a compulsion. Rumination regarding intrusive thoughts is just trying to solve the problem through thinking. But there isn't a problem to be solved, nor can feelings be removed with thinking, so it is a waste of time. It is also within your control, you are the one trying to resolve the thought, so instead of engaging, you're aware it's there, but deciding you don't have to problem solve. Hope that helps:)