At its core, rumination is a coping mechanism. It's a way of responding to stress by repeatedly focusing on the source of distress. One theory states that people tend to engage in repetitive thinking about the nature of their difficulties.
Trauma-related rumination refers to perseverative thinking about the trauma and its consequences; such consequences may include an individual's PTSD symptoms (see Ehlers & Clark, 2000). A feature common to both rumination and re-experiencing symptoms is that they are difficult to control.
Ruminating — a harmful defense mechanism
Instead of confronting what's really going on, we distract ourselves with more digestible thoughts. Ruminators often believe that situations in their lives are uncontrollable.
Rumination is one of the co-occurring symptoms found both in anxiety disorders and depression. It is often a primary symptom in Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. When people are depressed, the themes of rumination are typically about being inadequate or worthless.
A flow chart can be a great way to show the flow of food during the process of rumination (introduce the concept of the 4 R's – regurgitation, rechewing, reinsalvation, reswallowing. These represent the four phases of rumination).
Finding a pleasurable activity or distraction often helps break the cycle of rumination. Using some of your own unique interests or self care can help find something that works for you. Mindfulness is a mediation practice that focuses on paying attention to your thoughts.
Many different mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, phobias, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), may involve ruminating thoughts. However, in some cases, rumination may just occur in the wake of a specific traumatic event, such as a failed relationship.
Importantly, however, rumination is not only related to depression, but is involved in the development and/or maintenance of a broad range of disorders, including post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, insomnia, eating disorders, somatic symptom disorder, and substance use disorders2, 3.
Biofeedback is part of behavioral therapy for rumination syndrome. During biofeedback, imaging can help you or your child learn diaphragmatic breathing skills to counteract regurgitation. For infants, treatment usually focuses on working with parents or caregivers to change the infant's environment and behavior.
This process has been termed “behavioural avoidance” (or, in the context of grief, “depressive avoidance,” Boelen et al., 2006). Nolen‐Hoeksema et al. (2008) proposed that rumination helps individuals to avoid an aversive environment because it occupies attention and time.
There aren't any medicines available that effectively treat rumination syndrome. The best way to stop it is to relearn how to eat and digest food properly. This requires diaphragmatic breathing training. A behavioral psychologist usually teaches this, and it's easy to learn.
Rumination is divided into two subtypes, reflective and brooding. Reflective is a cycle of thinking that is analytical and problem-solving, whereas brooding is more negative and self-perpetuating.
One variable that has recently been associated with both childhood adverse experiences and dissociation is rumination, defined as the tendency to constantly focus attention on negative mood and circumstances associated with those feelings, such as possible causes and consequences (Nolen-Hoeksema & Morrow, 1991).
Traumas that have not been fully discussed and ventilated are linked to increased ruminations about that traumatic event (Pennebaker and Susman, 1988). Generally, childhood trauma is not easily discussed and is suppressed, so that it might lead to a ruminative cognitive style.
Obsessing and ruminating are often part of living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). No matter how hard you try to ignore them, those negative thoughts just keep coming back, replaying themselves in an infinite loop.
Some common ruminations or obsessive thoughts include the following: Obsessive thoughts regarding cleanliness. Fear of harming someone. Disturbing thoughts of inappropriate sexual activities.
Rumination is highly associated with negative emotions and psychotic symptoms and has been supported as a buffer between DM and psychiatric symptoms in clinical populations and SSDs.
Rumination is a repetitive thought pattern that can be negative (focusing on the past) or anxious (focusing on the future). It is common in people with ADHD and can cause emotional distress. It's not the same as overthinking, which is when someone excessively thinks about simple things before taking action.
Indeed, research has linked this tendency toward overthinking with numerous harmful behaviors, particularly overeating and drinking too much alcohol, as well as health consequences such as an increased risk of developing depression, anxiety, insomnia, high blood pressure and other toxic effects.
2003). The phenomenon of 'chewing the cud' or rechewing the previously ingested rumen contents is considered to be a unique feature of ruminants (Ruckebusch 1993). Rumination is induced because of mechanical stimulation of nerve endings by the coarse and ridged feed particles in the region of the esophageal opening.
In rumination, the regurgitated food does not tend to taste sour or bitter because it has not had time to fully mix with stomach acid and be digested. This act of regurgitation is a reflex action that can be a learned and intentional act or can be unintentional.
An alternative is to try the 5 minute rule: when you notice you are dwelling on a problem, keep going for 5 minutes. Then if it hasn't helped, do something else. Ask yourself, is there some fear around that something bad might happen if you stopped?