[eric241]

I experience severe rumination relating to trying to remember thoughts I've forgotten. These are often unimportant thoughts and I'm aware they are unimportant but I still expend considerable energy trying to remember them (these could be creative ideas, things I want to do, etc). If I remember the thought, the anxiety subsides immediately. If I do not, I can be anxious, depressed and basically debilitated for hours or even a whole day or so.

To many, this sounds like "pure O" OCD and I'm wondering if ERP would be helpful? I'm unsure because I don't know what I could effectively be exposed to. When I'm not anxious, the thought of forgetting something in the future isn't anxiety provoking at all and quite frankly seems kind of absurd.

[Skeezyks]

Hello eeric241: For a variety of reasons, the Skeezyks has quite a bit of difficulty with short-term memory. I carry a note pad... write things down on "stickies" & stick them where I will see them when I need to, etc. This sort of thing may not be the answer for you, but perhaps it might help? Good luck!

[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

[Shaly78]

Unless it is something creative never done or something you want to do never done, then you will remember again those things that are you that you do and be creative as and do....

For instance, boss ask me to work on a project, you thought of a creative idea then at the moment couldn't note it, so you waste time ruminating trying to get that creative idea to return to you. Journal situations, then go to your T with the best treatment.

[eric241]

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...

I was put on Citalopram for this and it has really quite helped - as has CBT for the Anxiety in general. Other than tahat I was under strict orders to change my daily routine. One of these habits that had to go was journalling which only reinforced the rumination.

[88Butterfly88]

Prozac has been helpful for my OCD and rumination.

[handheart]

ell maybe speak with subconstient mind because its very powerful .For example you can speak with him this way .Subconstient stop thinking at this thoughts as they are not useful for me .Maybe this will help you