Connect with people who understand what you are going through,
seek advice and surround yourself with support. We're
free, anonymous, and professionally moderated 24/7.
Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
creative_writerSenior Contributor
Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
I struggle with rumination as part of Bipolar, OCD, CPTSD. I am also ND and have ADHD and ASD. I have been struggling to function and my productivity has been declining, and I'm often finding myself stuck in rumination for several hours each day. I usually struggle with focus and motivation on a good day, but I think the stress is adding to it. Not being able to do things is also creating stress. I feel like my ADHD is feeding into my mental illness and vice versa. I am finding myself wanting to turn to things that will make things harder in the long term. I know developing addictive behaviours may give me relief in the short run, it'll calm my brain, help me think clearer and make it easier to concentrate on tasks. I am also aware this will create health problems in the long run. I need something to calm my brain and help me function without having negative consequences. I find once I am able to do things, my mental illness symptoms get better. Does anyone have healthy ways to cope with rumination, mental illness and ND? I'm currently on bipolar meds (my pdoc doesn't want me on ADHD meds) which helps me stabilise my mood to a certain degree and I'm trying to work on myself in therapy, but I am still struggling a lot
In response to: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
tymeModerator
Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
Hey @creative_writer , I've been thinking about you a lot and wanted to check-in to see how you are going at the moment?
In response to: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
creative_writerSenior Contributor
Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
@AuntGlow it definitely can be, I want to be able to improve my ability to focus on prayers more, but I do realise it will be a process, I’m not very mindful by nature.
Maybe it isn’t realistic to do lots of things when recovering from an infection, I expect too much from myself.
@tyme I’m less snotty than I was a few days back, so I’m taking that as a positive. Still anxious, but it’s a pretty normal response to somatic flashbacks, I’m still learning to sit with them. My instinct is to distract. I’m finding it’s not realistic to do that all the time, I’ve had times where I would try to distract but it wouldn’t be super effective. I’m wondering whether it feels intense because I’m trying too hard to escape
In response to: Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
tymeModerator
Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
"I’m wondering whether it feels intense because I’m trying too hard to escape"
From my experience, yes @creative_writer
The more you try to escape, the more you are actually getting 'involved' and 'fused' to it. That was my experience.
That was the work my psych did with me. To learn to sit with those thoughts so that they'd go away eventually. If I was battling them, they only became stronger.
In response to: Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
creative_writerSenior Contributor
Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
@tyme I think my psych sensed that I was trying so hard to distract, she wanted me to start to learn to sit with it. Maybe that’s why I constantly feel like I need to do something. Obviously it’s not working for me right now, even if it worked in the past. It’s probably not hard to guess why I spend so long on my phone in the morning. I wake up and the intrusive memories come immediately. I end up wasting so much time, because I don’t want to think. I know the more you try not to think, the more you do. I feel like I’m often in on the go mode. It’s like I need to get everything on my to do list done immediately. I often end up not being able to get much done. Probably because the thoughts are intense from the avoidance.
I’ve used some magnesium cream on my legs, I’m hoping it helps me slow down before I drift off to sleep. Tomorrow is another day
In response to: Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
tymeModerator
Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
Yes, @creative_writer . Tomorrow IS another day. A new day.
Just having you say that means a lot to me. It reminds me that each day is a new day, as hard as things are at the moment.
In response to: Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
AuntGlowModerator
Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
Good morning @creative_writer, how was the rest of your evening? Did you manage to take things slow and gently with yourself? 💛
In response to: Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
creative_writerSenior Contributor
Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
@tyme today has certainly been a very exhausting day trying to navigate volunteer work training. The busyness has made it a bit easier, but I don't think I can keep going, might need to sit with the discomfort for a while.
@AuntGlow yes, I took it easy yesterday and went to bed early. I think the magnesium cream made it a bit easier to sleep. Feeling a bit of a crash rn
In response to: Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
tymeModerator
Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
Hey @creative_writer ,
Good to hear from you.
I was wondering, can you think of a time when things have been better for you? Do you remember what it looked it, sounded like, smelt like or felt like?
In response to: Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
creative_writerSenior Contributor
Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
@tyme I think I need to start slowly with sitting with the discomfort, it gets a bit too much over extended periods of time. I need to somehow rewire brain into thinking it’s safe. It keeps feeling like it’s happening all over again.
I’ve had moments where things felt better and I felt at peace. My whole body would feel completely relaxed and my mind would feel clearer. It’s just been a long time, but I know I’ve had those calm moments. I think in moments like that it’s easier to be present because it comes natural. I find slowing down really challenging, but I know I need to start somewhere
In response to: Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
tymeModerator
Re: Rumination and unhelpful coping strategies. TW: Addictive tendencies
I wonder if we can bring our body back to those moments of peace and work to sit in that space? @creative_writer
We're improving how you access SANE services, starting with Forums
You’ll soon be able to use one secure login to access all SANE services.
For added security, members are now required to log in with their email address and password - member names are no longer supported for logging in.
If you had a Forums account before 19 May 2026 and haven’t set up your new login yet, you'll be prompted to set up your new secure login when you sign-in.
