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- 4y
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- 4y
Do nothing when you have a intrusive thought
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- 4y
Watch it pass
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- 4y
Hi, Jay. Rumination is definitely my most common compulsion as well. What helps me is indentifying the intrusive thought/obsession as my OCD, gently saying “this fear may be true/become true, I am uncertain and that is okay” then refocusing on the present moment (my breath, what I see, what I hear) and going on with my day. It can be extremely frustrating when an obsession is insistent, but after a few days of being diligent by accepting, refusing rumination, and refocusing, it becomes less distressing and less frequent. Best wishes to you! You got this!
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- 4y
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😂😂
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- 4y
@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!
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- 4y
@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
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- 4y
@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
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- 4y
@Jay Mc Thank you so much! I’m glad he has helped you and I’m excited to see what I learn!
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- 4y
Dr Michael greenberg
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- 4y
Thank you, I shall look him up
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- 4y
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
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- 4y
Same here. I also read Michael Greenberg website and for the first time in my life I felt that someone got it about compulsive rumination, this is where I learnt that I have compulsive rumination, and that he empowers and shows that I and anyone can stop it. Without rumination I would not have most of my anxieties, like 90% of them, if I drop that unproductive habit, along with compulsive research and assurances seeking, which are also part and feed in or out of rumination. Ugh.
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- 4y
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.
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- 4y
@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).
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- 4y
@Jay Mc Are you doing ERP? Is it applicable for rumination?
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- 4y
@allitta Yes. Sit with the thoughts, just watch them, don’t engage
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- 4y
@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:)
Related posts
- Date posted
- 13w
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! ❤️
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- 7w
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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- 26d
I've been told it's impossible to "push intrusive thoughts away", but also that rumination is a compulsion. What is rumination vs. overthinking? And how do I stop ruminating properly and healthfully?
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