{"id":5301,"date":"2022-11-01T09:34:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-01T16:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.helloklarity.com\/?p=5301"},"modified":"2024-02-08T08:56:41","modified_gmt":"2024-02-08T16:56:41","slug":"rumination-ocd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms.helloklarity.com\/post\/rumination-ocd\/","title":{"rendered":"Rumination OCD: symptoms, co-occurring anxiety, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Do you have anxiety<\/a>, depression<\/a>, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)<\/a> and often find yourself stuck in a repetitive loop of negative, intrusive thoughts? When these thoughts get in the way of daily functioning, they can take away from your quality of life, including work, relationships, and other important matters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This phenomenon is called rumination<\/em>. It\u2019s a co-occurring symptom of several anxiety disorders, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you’ve been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, or OCD, there’s a good chance you\u2019ve experienced rumination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we take a deep dive into what rumination is, why it happens, and what you can do to manage intrusive, negative, or repetitive thoughts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If intrusive or ruminating thoughts are making it difficult to enjoy your daily life, you could benefit from personalized treatment through Klarity. Klarity connects you with a licensed healthcare provider in your state for affordable, convenient online mental health treatment<\/a>. They can evaluate your symptoms, offer a professional diagnosis, and develop a tailored treatment plan for you, which could include prescription medication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Find relief from your intrusive thoughts today by starting with Klarity\u2019s free two-minute evaluation<\/a>. Within 48 hours, you\u2019ll be able to meet with a medical professional for your first private telehealth appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article discusses suicide, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately at 800-273-8255.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is rumination?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Regarding obsessive-compulsive disorder, the repetitive, unending thoughts experienced during rumination are a type of compulsion<\/em>. Compulsions are traditionally defined as behaviors meant to reduce short-term stress or alleviate fear or anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exactly how compulsive behaviors occur is misunderstood. You may imagine a person washing their hands repeatedly, counting to 10 before leaving the house, or needing to circle a car once before entering it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, compulsions aren\u2019t always visible, outward behaviors<\/em>. They come in the form of thoughts, too. When compulsions are inward, invisible, and thought-based, they can form circular patterns that keep a person trapped in a thought loop \u2014 a.k.a. compulsive rumination<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how does ruminating reduce short-term stress? It seems like it would cause more stress.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember, compulsions are behaviors or thoughts that attempt to temporarily relieve a deeper fear or anxiety. Let\u2019s explore a scenario to better demonstrate what the thought is trying to relieve:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s say you had to present a report to your coworkers two weeks ago. During the report, something really embarrassing happened, and it derailed your entire presentation. You got through the rest of it, but ever since, you haven\u2019t been able to stop replaying it in your head.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Multiple times a day, you catch yourself in a thought loop going over the events and thinking about what you could have done differently and what people must be thinking of you.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The amount of time you spend thinking about that meeting adds up and takes its toll on you, making you less productive and distracting you from present tasks, obligations, and responsibilities. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This compulsive search for an explanation distracts you from the simple reality that you made a mistake, and mistakes happen. To relieve your embarrassment, you engage in behavior that you believe will provide a reason or explanation for your embarrassment. But instead, it leaves you thinking in circles because there is no solid conclusion to draw.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You engage in rumination<\/strong>, which is a mental compulsion your mind performs to try to relieve the stress and anxiety surrounding your inability to accept that you made a mistake in front of your peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is it intrusive thoughts, or just a compulsion?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Intrusive thoughts are common in people with OCD, and are characterized as unwanted or negative thoughts that come into your head without warning. It\u2019s possible that you’re experiencing both an intrusive thought and a compulsion at once. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruminating on certain thoughts can become a compulsion when it’s used in an attempt to relieve underlying stress or anxiety. However, being stuck in a repetitive thought loop when trying to accomplish tasks, focus on work, or engage in relationships is certainly intrusive.<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t

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