rumination | combatting repetitive thoughts [cc]

A solution-based reflection on a widely reported symptom resulting from abuse and trauma: rumination — feeling immersed in persistent inescapable thoughts.
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0:00 defining rumination
2:13 real-life examples
4:58 rumination as a false coping strategy
7:00 the gateway to mood disorders
7:44 concrete vs abstract rumination
10:46 giving thoughts too much power
13:52 resisting vs dismissing thoughts
16:31 strategy 1: debunking
18:38 strategy 2: reframing
20:33 strategy 3: expressing
22:47 strategy 4: activity
24:18 strategy 5: mindfulness
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opening quote:
Thoughts are like guests in the houses of our minds. We can choose which ones we open our doors to — and which ones we decline to entertain.
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subtitles:
Bulgarian: Djeitko
Dutch: kedrednael
Russian: Sergey Savelyev
Spanish: Martin Gonzalez
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references and reading:
Just, N. and Alloy, L. (1997) The response styles theory of depression: tests and an extension of the theory. Journal of abnormal psychology 106 (2) pp.221–229
Michael, T., Halligan, S.L., Clark, D.M. and Ehlers, A. (2007) Rumination in posttraumatic stress disorder. Depression and anxiety 24 pp.307-317
Michi, L.C., McLaughlin, K.A., Shepherd, K. and Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2013) Rumination as a mechanism linking stressful life events to symptoms of depression and anxiety: longitudinal evidence in early adolescents and adults. Journal of abnormal psychology 122 (2) pp.339-352
Powers, J.P. and LaBar, K.S. (2019) Regulating emotion through distancing: a taxonomy, neurocognitive model, and supporting meta-analysis. Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews 96 pp.155-173
Watkins, E.R. and Moulds, M.L. (2005) Distinct modes of ruminative self-focus: impact of abstract versus concrete rumination on problem solving in depression. Emotion 5 (3) pp.319-328
Watkins, E.R. and Roberts, H. (2020) Reflecting on rumination: consequences, causes, mechanisms and treatment of rumination. Behaviour research and therapy 127
Wells, A and Carter, K.E.P. (2001) Further tests of a cognitive model of generalized anxiety disorder: metacognitions and worry in GAD, panic disorder, social phobia, depression, and nonpatients. Behaviour therapy 32 (1) pp.85-105
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music © TheraminTrees
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[quackgoesthegooose]

I have a better understanding of my own conquering of suicidal ideation after watching this video. I try to explain to other people how I was able to, through years of manipulation, discipline myself away from those comforting thoughts of killing myself and directly face the dilemmas I was anxious about. Even just one small step can start you off, even one little goal. I started with things like mouth hygiene, necessary after mild neglect from depression, and progressed with nightly bike rides. Years later, I'm finishing up a diploma and applying for a dream university program. Discipline with your thoughts is key, though. Obstacles will arise, as always. The difference in facing these obstacles with this switch of mindset is that now your health is an important goal to you. It can be hard to keep as the top priority, but the habit of thought will form if you keep at it long enough. It took me about 2 years to properly readjust. A side benefit - my raging anxiety slowly dwindled with this discipline as well. I now only have regular, old social anxiety instead of a constant soul-sucking impairment.

[CoolHardLogic]

"He was focused purely on hunting for grievances to create his dramas."
Social media has entered the chat.

[abbyamberhere]

Just gotta say that reading abusive messages aloud like they're Shakespearean tragedies is absolutely brilliant.

[BorderWise]

I have a bad habit of imagining entirely fictitious conflicts with people: a perfect example of 'what if' scenarios.
Works me up, makes me angry and accomplishes nothing except wasting time and energy.
I think I can avoid those thoughts now. Thank you once again, ThereminTrees. 👍

[NullG]

"Some people find it helpful to speak directly to the thought."

I know these are serious videos, but the first thing that popped into my brain when I heard that was "BEGONE THOUGHT!"

[Metonymy]

I know a woman that had a interview once. She messed up the guys name. She did not stop (I mean did not stop) talking about it for hours because she was so embarrassed. I had to tell her to stop or she would have kept going. I never knew someone could be so horribly stuck in a thought. It's kinda scary.

[Graylord]

As someone with aspergers, I find myself stuck with ruminating about things already decades past. They suddenly hurt as if they happened yesterday sometimes, especially when I learn about how things weren't my fault, they were because of my condition or my parents lack of understanding and narcissism.
I also find myself rehearsing conversations in my head over, over and over even if I shouldn't expect the topic to come up.

It's so hard to relax, my head is constantly chewing on something.

[unholyrat]

i suffer from an anxiety disorder and im plagued by memories of terrible experiences. thanks for making this video and helping me

[temmiechang]

I never realized this was a problem for me. My boyfriend was sexually abused by a family member at a young age and since I’m unable to do anything as it was so long ago, I find myself often imagining scenarios of what I’d do if I saw the abuser. I always thought this was helping but it often just makes me angry and upset.

[mrchoon]

Please read!

I used to have a serious problem with rumination about embarrassing things I said in conversation. I would go over what I said again and again, and think of all the things I could have said, instead. A joke that no-one laughed at. An opinion poorly expressed. It seems like such a small thing, but it was a big problem for me. What I began to do was watch and listen to other people, and notice when they slipped up in similar ways (which, of course, everyone does). Then, I would pay attention to how much I care about their not-funny joke, or whatever. Of course, I didn't care at all. Why would I? Noticing this made it easier to see that my slip-ups go largely unnoticed, and I'm the only one who's ever worried.
Now, what I do in these situations is watch and listen. Allow the conversation to move on, and continue to be a part of wherever it leads. Stay mindful. Stay in the moment.

I literally don't have this problem anymore, and haven't done for years

[liplockednomore]

Your channel has saved my brain after leaving Jehovah's Witnesses last year. Cognitive dissonance almost gone, still PTSD but less and less affected. Thank

[PhatmanDover]

A method I was taught to combat negative rumination was to imagine yourself in front of a production line, as quality insurance. Your thoughts are in boxes, clearly labeled, and they are coming from right to left. Your job is to not handle them, look inside, or anything like that- it's merely to see that the packaging is correct, that it's a thought. You send it off to the right, to be put into storage.

It definitely takes practice but it's helped me calm down moments of panic or self-defeating mental loops- especially the fact that it takes all the 'butterfly thoughts' and puts them into a straight line. You can see how ridiculous the 'products' are you're checking when they're one-by-one, and send them off to be put in storage with a chuckle.

[austinss]

I could never reimburse the value that this channel has offered me. Thank you. So many videos on here have given me the ability to identify and translate many of the emotions and behavioral traits of myself.

[ssundayswonderland]

Had to pause the video to ruminate real quick

[rdmltr]

You are a real treasure to this community, we're so glad to have you here for how much you've done for each one of us.

[tylerhiebert]

What I would give to have a therapist like you for my wife.

Suffered seriously some of the most vindictive and prolonged abuse I've ever seen. Starting right from birth when she turned out to not be the son her mother had expected.

It's difficult to get her to watch your videos when her traumatic episodes trigger, but I at least know strategies to help her through them, by watching them myself.

Your ongoing series on abuse has been a literal lifesaver. Thank you.

[geneburke]

Without trying to sound overly dramatic, this is the most important video I believe I have ever personally experienced. As a "Roger", this really hit home in a powerful way. Thank you for all you do. All of your videos help so many people.

[dkeefe]

As soon as this video began, I found myself losing focus and wandering down the mental path to my usual unwanted ruminations. I had to stop, go back, and start several times again. I'll soon be 65, and I've been bothered by a legion of old ghosts pretty much all of my life. Great video. Thank you.

[riverkoi]

"He would trade anxiety for depression." Uff, that describes my teen years perfectly :(

[ruthstanley]

Theramin Trees has been invaluable in my starting to recover from a religous childhood. I will forever be in your debt. It was the first set of videos I watched, regarding childhhood indoctrination, and, genuinely, you saved my life. I am 52, not been to church for 35 years and yet was drowning in the legacy. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.