Quote:
Originally Posted by sriracha
I know a little bit about rumination. For me it was more like trying to "capture" something...ideas and dreams or other concrete information, but also like a general feeling or mood of something like a memory, experience, etc. Not sure if that's what you're talking about, but maybe similar.
Journaling is a helpful practice for all kinds of problems for many people. I know it has helped me. You can record inspirations, things that are bothering you to just work them out like you might do with another person, vent frustrations, etc. I think it's also good to put in the happy stuff too. Sometimes it may be "unimportant," but if you're afraid of losing it then there's no harm in writing about it. I have written tons of stuff that is basically just ink on paper, nothing more, but trivial as it is, it helped at the time which is what's important. Plus, if you are receiving any treatment, it's helpful in tracking your progress.
Other ideas are meditation, visualizing letting go of thoughts, or simply getting lost in something else that can distract your mind (book, video game, binge-watch TV show...) Hopefully some of this is helpful  |
YES! This sounds very similar to what I experience. But, when I can't put my finger on the thought that passed by I can get rather debilitated. Sometimes after a bit of effort, I do put my finger on it, and then the anxiety subsides and I feel perfectly fine. On a conscious level, I often know that the thought I can't put my finger on isn't essential in any way, but it still makes me very anxious and debilitated.
Thanks for all these ideas! Journaling wouldn't work because when I'm anxious I'm trying to focus on placing the missing "thought" and retracing my mental steps. I'm not sure how journaling would help because I don't have an ongoing fear of forgetting things, I just get anxious when I do forget things even though I rationally know there is no reason that I need to remember whatever I forgot. I can't read or watch tv or anything when I'm anxious because I feel like decreasing stimulation: new thoughts feel like they're bombarding me when I'm in that state and increase my anxiety. I've been trying meditation and it may be helping a bit...