Depressive ruminating?

Does anyone else ruminate every waking second? I can't focus on even having a conversation most of the time, I'm just pretending to listen. It never stops. It's been like this my whole life. It's the worst thing because I work myself into this horrible panicked frenzy that I did something wrong or I'm bad or somthing somebody did is a clue that they don't like me, and obsess about it nonstop. Sometimes I will obsess about something somebody said to me for weeks, and will spend every second thinking about it, wondering if it means they don't like me, etc. it feels so crazy and out of control.

Anyone else?

Yes, I ruminate quite a bit, usually over how awful my work/career situation is. It can lead to depression. For me, meditation helps and just reminding myself to live one 24-hour period at a time.

I think that pretty much everyone who has depression has that. I used to do that but have escaped. See these notes for how to do it

http://egg.bu.edu/~youssef/SNAP_CLUB...0164151576.pdf

- vital

Thanks, I'll check it out. I think it's the worst part of depression. I get so desperate to get these thoughts "resolved" that I constantly ask for reassurance ("two weeks ago when you said ____, what did you mean?") and hope people don't realize I have been thinking about what they said nonstop. I feel crazy.

(affirmative)

(not so much about that issue but I used to some...)

yes.....

I have at times, and it does seem like I do it more when depressed. But, like other habits you can learn to control it. I had to learn to let go of something that I know I would otherwise think about for days. I think it's normal to review the events of the day, and maybe wonder if you offended someone or did something stupid. Then you remind yourself it's in the past, and can't be undone. Learn to let the unimportant stuff go. It is hard to change your thinking habits, but it can be done.

If you are truly troubled about something it might help to talk to someone about it, a close friend, parent, teacher, etc.

Aw, pink flamingo, I know exactly what you are talking about! I ruminate all the ever loving time! Mostly it's a bout how sad my life feels, I have fallen away from my former life because of the depression. No friends, no joy, I'm embarrassed that I have been on autopilot and I feel like I don't have a future. This is what I am really struggling with right now and my brain just never shuts off. It's such a relief to read that someone else has this issue, I feel so alone. But I know it is all so unproductive! And negative! I have a very logical part of me that keeps me aware that life is so awesome and that I should be thankful for every moment..Then I feel so ashamed of the destructiveness of those thoughts but the negativity seems to win..I slide back to the icky thoughts.

I read that link to the snap club that vital suggested, that's GREAT! May give it a try. I sure am thankful to have read this tonite, I'm kinda new here and really appreciate people's thoughts and support. You take care

Thanks so much!!! I appreciate all your responses!

I really really love the snap thing, but I can't snap so I'll clap!

I am having a bit of luck with my new med Parnate.

I pretty much do that but blame more on my anxiety than the depression.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey PinkFlamingo--

You should stop by the Depression Support Chat tonight (9 PM Eastern). This week's topic is rumination.

Depression Support Chat Topics Thread

Prozac stopped me from ruminating. It happened like the first day i took it, which ive been told is not a usual response and is indicative of a different mental problem. I dont care, im just happy it stopped. Now (or in recent times) when i am with my mother, i can tell SHE is doing it,and i feel like i am running away from a runaway lawnmower! But i used to be right there with her.

I do the exact thing nearly constant. My mind is so busy ruminating about every conceivable thing that there isn't even room left to focus on anything. It's not really an OCD thing. Nearly every Depression sufferer I've ever talked to ruminates. Even if not about any particular event, then I will ruminate about my scenarios regarding my Depression itself. It just sucks the mental energy out of me so badly. Ahhh... How I long for the days when I was just simply in the NOW. Just in that beautiful place where I just did fun and productive things and never gave them much over thinking. Wishful thinking because no amount of meditation for me will halt what my brain wants to do. My mind just has a mind of it's own that's way out of my power to control.

I used to obsess over every social interaction and phone call I had. As I get older I obsess less. I just don't have the energy to worry so much anymore. And I don't care as much what people think. Yeah it's awful though. I think meds have helped me with that a bit.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone!!! I always thought it was anxiety or obsessing as well, but my psychiatrist said he thought it was more depressive ruminating. it ruins my life. It's usually fears people I love will leave me.

Unfortunately I have a job that leaves me time to think alone the entire day. The rumination has often led to crying spells and even my first panic attack only a few months ago. It's a miracle I've kept this job almost a year for the awful way the days go. I can feel the dread when I walk in each morning because I know there's a possibility my thoughts will throw me into a terrible way, making it that much harder to return.

I might be on my own with this, but I also feel guilt-- like I'm causing the pain I'm put through for the way my thoughts go. I try to focus on other things or keep a song in mind to distract, but it usually won't carry me through an entire day. Now I believe it doesn't matter what job I might have or where else I go. My mind and what it does I can't escape. Anyway, I'm glad to have come across this thread and see I'm not the only one.