However, recent research demonstrates that patients with bipolar disorder engage in rumination, a form of self-focused repetitive cognitive activity, in depressed as well as in manic states.
Patients with bipolar disorder may experience an exacerbation in executive dysfunction when manic or depressed, which may lead to a tendency to ruminate because of a failure to inhibit self-focused thoughts of a positive or negative nature.
Rumination is a common feature of mood disorders, characterized by compulsive thinking and excessive focusing of attention on possible causes and consequences of one's distress (Nolen-Hoeksema et al. 2008).
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.
Anger rumination, in which individuals focus on angry moods and prior provocations, is particularly associated with BPD features [5, 6] and predicts characteristics of BPD, such as anger, displaced aggression, and cognitive distortions [7,8,9].
Obsessive thinking is a fairly common but rarely discussed symptom of bipolar. We look at ways you can take charge when intrusive thoughts take hold. Getting something stuck in your head—the catchy chorus of a song, a gruesome image from the news—can be annoying for anyone.
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.
The precise cause of rumination syndrome isn't clear. But it appears to be caused by an increase in abdominal pressure. Rumination syndrome is frequently confused with bulimia nervosa, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastroparesis.
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. Brooding rumination leads to negative moods and negative opinions of oneself.
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.
Rumination disorder most often occurs in infants and very young children (between 3 and 12 months), and in children with intellectual disabilities. It is rare in older children, adolescents, and adults. It may occur slightly more often in boys than in girls, but few studies of the disorder exist to confirm this.
Why do People Ruminate? In the context of OCD, rumination is a compulsion. A compulsion, by definition, is intended to reduce the distress caused by an unwanted, intrusive thought or obsession. Compulsions may help reduce distress in the short-term, but often serve to maintain the OCD in the long-term.
There is no laboratory test that can diagnose mania. Some medical illnesses can affect your mood, and so your doctor may run laboratory tests to rule out such concerns. Your doctor may then conduct a physical exam, ask you about your personal medical and family history, and then evaluate your signs and symptoms.
Rumination is the maladaptive tendency to focus repetitively on symptoms of emotional distress and the potential meaning, causes, and consequences of these symptoms without trying to solve the problems contributing to the emotional distress (Nolen-Hoeksema, 1991).
Rumination and OCD
Rumination is a core feature of OCD that causes a person to spend an inordinate amount time worrying about, analyzing, and trying to understand or clarify a particular thought or theme.
Rumination involves repetitive thinking or dwelling on negative feelings and distress and their causes and consequences. The repetitive, negative aspect of rumination can contribute to the development of depression or anxiety and can worsen existing conditions.
Abstract. Objective: To increase the knowledge of rumination and its associations with stressful events, we explored the relationships between 4 types of rumination (brooding, reflection, intrusive, and deliberate rumination) in a sample of 750 adult participants who experienced a highly stressful event.
Some of the long-term complications may include: Increased risk of dehydration, malnutrition and weight loss. Poor school attendance and involvement in activities. Emotional issues such as anxiety, stress and depression.
“People who are depressed and anxious tend to show this pattern of thinking more often,” Wilding said. For instance, research has shown a connection between rumination and depression.
The fear of never being stable.
Thus this leads to a feeling of being unfit for this world — that you weren't meant for it because you can't cope with life due to something you didn't choose and can't change; that you're stuck having to explain yourself to others and even yourself.
Oversharing. It can be hard to process and filter the constant thoughts, heightened feelings, and energy levels of a manic episode. This can sometimes result in feeling unable to stop oneself from sharing random or inappropriate compulsive thoughts, even in serious situations.