[capricorn1975]

When I'm with people I feel ok most of the time..

But when I'm alone I ruminate and I feel more and more negative.

Do I have ocd? Or is it part of my bi-polar? Does anyone else feel like this?

[madisgram]

ah, the dreaded rumination prob...many of us can totally relate. thanks for this thread. i'm eager to see what works for others of ways to stop this behavior in myself too.
well first off, cap, what are u ruminating about when alone? like, is it the conversation you had earlier in the day? or is it ruminating about life stuff in general? usually i ruminate when i'm upset/fearful over something. do you know or can you define what it is that gets stuck in your thoughts each time it happens?? is it an unknown fear or a fear of something that causes the worry? and what negative feelings do you have? your own self image or or your situation and fears about it?
it's hard for me to break the cycle once it starts and usually only goes away if i can resolve the worry. i often just can't shake those thoughts thru exercise, etc to take my mind off it. one thing that helps me is to talk about it with someone i trust so i can be specific about what's causing the rumination/worry. it doesn't necessarily fix the worry but it may lessen it somewhat. many times the assurance of others that things will/are be ok or ways to resolve my worry helps. most times i hadn't even put the prob in the right perspective. yet i worry just the same!! it may not even be something i should be ruminating about and i'm safe. lots of time the worry is just spinning my wheels and that doesn't solve the source of the prob. so the dreaded cycle continues.
so i don't know if it's one dx or other but regardless it intensifies anxiety and stress. i hate it when i get caught up in that. it even makes me phsically uncomfortable. i find i can't just do something to get my mind off it.
i believe the solution, imho, is to determine if this is a logical worry or fear of an imaginary "what if" situation. that aids me in getting on with life rather than getting stuck.
good friends often can be more objective than we are. so i bounce it around with them to help me identify the fear or ways to fix it. it really helps.
...and i hope this post helps you too, dear friend.

[capricorn1975]

Originally Posted by madisgram

ah, the dreaded rumination prob...many of us can totally relate. thanks for this thread. i'm eager to see what works for others of ways to stop this behavior in myself too.
well first off, cap, what are u ruminating about when alone? like, is it the conversation you had earlier in the day? or is it ruminating about life stuff in general? usually i ruminate when i'm upset/fearful over something. do you know or can you define what it is that gets stuck in your thoughts each time it happens?? is it an unknown fear or a fear of something that causes the worry? and what negative feelings do you have? your own self image or or your situation and fears about it?
it's hard for me to break the cycle once it starts and usually only goes away if i can resolve the worry. i often just can't shake those thoughts thru exercise, etc to take my mind off it. one thing that helps me is to talk about it with someone i trust so i can be specific about what's causing the rumination/worry. it doesn't necessarily fix the worry but it may lessen it somewhat. many times the assurance of others that things will/are be ok or ways to resolve my worry helps. most times i hadn't even put the prob in the right perspective. yet i worry just the same!! it may not even be something i should be ruminating about and i'm safe. lots of time the worry is just spinning my wheels and that doesn't solve the source of the prob. so the dreaded cycle continues.
so i don't know if it's one dx or other but regardless it intensifies anxiety and stress. i hate it when i get caught up in that. it even makes me phsically uncomfortable. i find i can't just do something to get my mind off it.
i believe the solution, imho, is to determine if this is a logical worry or fear of an imaginary "what if" situation. that aids me in getting on with life rather than getting stuck.
good friends often can be more objective than we are. so i bounce it around with them to help me identify the fear or ways to fix it. it really helps.
...and i hope this post helps you too, dear friend.

Your post DID help me a lot dear friend.... I can always count on your wisdom and support. Your knowledge about mental illness in general, and your greatness as a person speaks volumes.