Rumination is a repetitive, passive process of overthinking, focusing on the causes and effects of distress, often without actively seeking solutions. It involves repeatedly dwelling on negative thoughts or events, which can worsen mood and increase stress. While some reflection can be helpful for problem-solving, ruminating is characterized by a negative, unproductive focus.
Rumination was first discussed in 1998, when Nolen-Hoeksema proposed the Response Styles Theory, which is the most widely used conceptualization model of rumination. However, other theories have proposed different definitions for rumination. For example, in the Goal Progress Theory, rumination is conceptualized not as a reaction to a mood state, but as a response to failure to progress satisfactorily towards a goal.
According to research, rumination is a mechanism that develops and sustains psychopathological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and other negative mental disorders. There are some defined models of rumination, mostly interpreted by the measurement tools.[5] Multiple tools exist to measure ruminative thoughts. Treatments specifically addressing ruminative thought patterns are still in the early stages of development.
Repetitive and Passive Thinking
Rumination can be thought of as repetitive and passive thinking. It’s characterized by a repetitive and passive nature, where thoughts circle endlessly without leading to action or solutions. This involves focusing on distress. The thoughts involved in rumination are often focused on the causes and effects of distress, rather than on finding solutions or moving forward.
This process can lead to negative outcomes such as worsened mood, increased stress, and difficulty in functioning. Rumination can be triggered by various factors, such as past traumatic experiences, current stressors, and negative interpersonal relationships.
Understanding rumination is important because it can help individuals recognize the negative effects of this thought process and take steps to overcome it. There are different types of rumination, such as reflective rumination and brooding rumination, which have different effects on mental health.
Two Main Types of Rumination
Rumination can be broken down into two main types: reflection and brooding. Reflective rumination is a type of thinking that is analytical and problem-solving. It involves reflecting on past events and analyzing them to gain insight and understanding. This type of rumination can be helpful and lead to personal growth and development.
Reflective rumination can help you learn from your mistakes and make better decisions in the future. It can also help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your emotions. However, if this type of rumination becomes excessive, it can lead to negative thoughts and feelings.
Brooding rumination is a type of thinking that is negative and self-perpetuating. It involves focusing on negative emotions and events and ruminating on them repeatedly. This type of rumination can lead to negative moods and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.
Brooding rumination can be harmful to mental health, as it can lead to depression and anxiety. It can also interfere with problem-solving and decision-making, as it often involves dwelling on negative thoughts rather than finding solutions.
It is important to be aware of the type of rumination you are engaging in and to seek help if it becomes excessive or harmful to your mental health.
Distinction from OCD Rumination
While similar, rumination is not quite the same as rumination in OCD. In OCD, rumination often involves intrusive thoughts or concerns, whereas in standard rumination, the thoughts can be more self-perpetuating and related to an individual’s attempt to understand an experience. Standard rumination is the type seen in depression and is typically more easy to treat.
Rumination can be triggered by various factors such as stress, trauma, or low self-esteem. It can be difficult to break the cycle of rumination, but there are several strategies that can help. These include:
- Mindfulness meditation
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Exercise
- Journaling
- Social support
It’s important to remember that rumination is a habit that can be changed with time and effort. It probably will take some practice to develop new thought patterns, but it is possible to break the cycle of rumination and improve your well-being and mental health.
Dr. Randi Fredricks, Ph.D.
Author Bio
Dr. Randi Fredricks is a leading expert in the field of mental health counseling and psychotherapy, with over three decades of experience in both research and practice. She holds a PhD from The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and has published ground-breaking research on communication, mental health, and complementary and alternative medicine. Dr. Fredricks is a best-selling author of books on the treatment of mental health conditions with complementary and alternative medicine. Her work has been featured in leading academic journals and is recognized worldwide. She currently is actively involved in developing innovative solutions for treating mental health. To learn more about Dr. Fredricks’ work, visit her website: https://drrandifredricks.com
References
Nolen-Hoeksema S, Wisco BE, Lyubomirsky S. (2008). Rethinking Rumination. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 3(5), 400–424.
Nolan SA, Roberts JE, Gotlib IH (1998). Neuroticism and ruminative response style as predictors of change in depressive symptomatology (PDF). Cognitive Therapy and Research. 22 (5): 445–455.
Smith JM, Alloy LB (March 2009). A roadmap to rumination: a review of the definition, assessment, and conceptualization of this multifaceted construct. Clinical Psychology Review. 29 (2): 116–128.
Matthews G, Wells A (2004). Rumination, Depression, and Metacognition: The S-REF Model. In Papageorgiou C, Wells A (eds.). Depressive Rumination: Nature, Theory and Treatment. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons. pp. 125–151.
Papageorgiou C, Wells A (2001). Positive beliefs about depressive rumination: Development and preliminary validation of a self-report scale. Behavior Therapy. 32 (1): 13–26.
Fredricks, Randi. (2008). Healing & wholeness: Complementary and alternative therapies for mental health. Bloomington, IN: Author House.
Fredricks, Randi. (2020). Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Anxiety. Bloomington, IN: Author House.
Fredricks, Randi. (2020). Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Depression. Bloomington, IN: Author House.
