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Patrick McGrath, OC, PhD, FRSC, Principal Scientist, 90Second Health
Matthew Scott, Writer, 90Second Health
Hannah Baillie, Editor in Chief, 90Second Health

Rumination

Rumination...
What is rumination?

Rumination is a type of thought processing disorder in which you continuously think about the same things, which tend to be sad or dark. You may be able to stop the cycle of rumination, or you may find it very difficult to do so.

Rumination can lead to negative moods, substance abuse, stress, anxiety and depression. These challenges can lead to self-harm and suicidal thinking. Rumination is common among those with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. Rumination can also occur on its own. 

Symptoms of rumination often include:

  • Excessive talking or thinking about a difficult event or topic
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings
  • Concentration problems
  • Feeling unmotivated to do usual activities
  • Feelings of worthlessness or helplessness
  • Fatigue
  • Low appetite
  • Suicidal thoughts
... CALL TO ACTION...

What is rumination?

Rumination is a type of thought processing disorder in which you continuously think about the same things, which tend to be sad or dark. You may be able to stop the cycle of rumination, or you may find it very difficult to do so.

Rumination can lead to negative moods, substance abuse, stress, anxiety and depression. These challenges can lead to self-harm and suicidal thinking. Rumination is common among those with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. Rumination can also occur on its own. 

Symptoms of rumination often include:

  • Excessive talking or thinking about a difficult event or topic
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings
  • Concentration problems
  • Feeling unmotivated to do usual activities
  • Feelings of worthlessness or helplessness
  • Fatigue
  • Low appetite
  • Suicidal thoughts

Image

What is rumination?

Rumination is a type of thought processing disorder in which you continuously think about the same things, which tend to be sad or dark. You may be able to stop the cycle of rumination, or you may find it very difficult to do so.

Rumination can lead to negative moods, substance abuse, stress, anxiety and depression. These challenges can lead to self-harm and suicidal thinking. Rumination is common among those with Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and depression. Rumination can also occur on its own. 

Symptoms of rumination often include:

  • Excessive talking or thinking about a difficult event or topic
  • Irritability
  • Mood swings
  • Concentration problems
  • Feeling unmotivated to do usual activities
  • Feelings of worthlessness or helplessness
  • Fatigue
  • Low appetite
  • Suicidal thoughts

CALL TO ACTION
assessment, when selecting options, 1 is false, 5 is true.I am often distracted from my work by negative thoughts.please select an option..I worry about the same things repetitively. please select an option..I find myself repeatedly going over negative interactions that happened in the past.please select an option..I turn small issues into large problems.please select an option..I am unable to stop thinking negatively about my problems.please select an option..I find myself avoiding activities that I used to enjoy.please select an option..My moods can be unpredictable. please select an option.. Please submit the form to get your assessment.
Personal Story. Personal Story.

n high school, I was constantly replaying negative thoughts. I ruminated about my health, about my face and hair and about my ability to have a casual conversation.

When I first started university, I thought I had my constant rumination under control. But, during my first year, this flared up again. And it was bad.

I found myself ruminating on everything. I worried about how one event would come back to affect me later. My ruminations swallowed up my whole life for months. I finally decided I couldn't live like this, and I went to see a counsellor. My counsellor told me that stopping rumination required critical thinking about what caused my negative thoughts. She told me I should learn to distract myself, confront my triggers and work on strategies for daily self-esteem boosting. I took this on in the same way one would practice a musical instrument. I noticed that I got better, but it took time. My negative thoughts slowly began to decrease. Today I can function pretty well at school. When I have a negative thought, I am able to dismiss it, rather than dwell on it. I still sometimes catch myself letting my ruminations get the best of me, but I can get back on track. 

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