♧ What is Rumination?

"An act of thinking carefully and for a long period about something"
- Cambridge Dictionary (2021)

"The tricky thing about rumination is that it feels like it is helpful, but there is no action taken, and you don't move forward to some sort of solution" - Carla Grayson 

The term Rumination, based on the Cambridge Dictionary (2021), refers to “an act of thinking carefully and for a long period about something”. Similarly, rumination in the psychological term refers to an individual repeatedly mulling over past events. Rumination, the thought disorder – a form of persistent negative thinking, is not to be mistaken as “rumination disorder” which involves certain eating disorders.

Why do we Ruminate? 

Default Mode Network (DMN)
(credit: Buckner et al, Ann NY Acad Sci, 2008)

Based on the many research that has been done over the recent years, ruminating occurs when our Default Mode Network (DMN) is engaged in autopilot mode. 

This is the part of the brain that is related to memory and is often active when we daydream, lost in the wonderland of random thoughts (or not so random) or even reminiscing of the past whether it may be good or bad.  

 

The 2 Subtypes of Rumination:

1. Reflection - the cycle of analytical and problem-solving thinking that generally reaches more positive outcomes as well as a solution
2. Brooding - the self-perpetuating thinking process that tends to lead to more negative outcome about themselves or about others

Rumination is a normal thinking process that occurs in each of our life and at any point. It generally does not become a problem unless an individual ruminates in an overextended manner and reports it as being frequent, and ongoing until it interferes with his or her daily tasks. Other than that, it serves as a strategic thinking process that enables us to look for answers within our “past mistakes” and ensures that “it doesn’t happen again next time”. 

Reflecting on something that has happened or has been said does help us learn, understand, and grow as well as improve our problem-solving skills. However, ruminating to an overextended period of time can prove to be harmful in both thoughts and actions.

 

Ruminating vs Worrying 

Though now it may sound as if rumination is the same as “worrying”, it is not. Worry involves a feeling, thought, or action that may be a danger or a threat to the individual. For example: “Yesterday, my neighbor told me that her home was nearly broken into; I am now worried that the same may happen to me.”

Where else, rumination involves the feeling of loss, hopelessness, and a sense of failure; it stems from circumstances of disappointment, grief, depression, and sadness. For example: “If only I was there watching my son when he was playing near the pool, then perhaps his death could have been avoided.” 

 

Resources:

Christiansen, T. (2020). The Recovery Village: Rumination. Retrieved from Rumination Thought Disorder Overview | The Recovery Village

Dr. Rodriguez, G., S. (2021). Rumination: When Your Thoughts Don't Have An Off Button. Retrieved from Rumination: When Your Thoughts Don’t Have an Off Button (thepsychologygroup.com)