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Repetitive Thought (Rumination and Worry)

Human beings experience a wide variety of repetitive thoughts about themselves and their lives, not all of them negative. Reminiscing, savoring, anticipating, problem-solving, and emotional processing are positive examples of repetitive thinking, and go some way to explaining why we have the propensity to engage in repetitive thought. Some types of repetitive thought are unhelpful, though—even harmful. Rumination and worry are two key forms of unhelpful repetitive thought and use of these can predict anxiety and depression (Watkins, 2016). We can conceptualize repetitive thinking about the future as ‘worry,’ and repetitive thinking about the past as ‘rumination.’ They are maintenance factors in conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder and depression (Harvey et al, 2004). Read more

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Catching Your Thoughts (CYP)

Before thoughts can be examined or challenged they must be ‘caught’ – they must be noticed and distinguished from events and feelings. The Catch ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/catching-your-thoughts-cyp/

Worksheet

Cognitive Behavioral Model Of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD: Dugas, Gagnon, Ladouceur, Freeston, 1998)

Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) report significant worry which they find difficult to control and experience as distressing. Numer ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/cognitive-behavioral-model-of-generalized-anxiety-disorder-gad-dugas-gagnon-ladouceur-freeston-1998/

Information Handout

This free guide was published in March 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic and is designed for anyone experiencing anxiety or worry. In times ... https://www.psychologytools.com/resource/living-with-worry-and-anxiety-amidst-global-uncertainty/

Free Guide

Assessment

Rumination assessment measure download archived copy

Intervention

Ruminating thought worksheet ~~download~~ archived copy
Rumination – from trap to trac download archived copy
11 steps to stop ruminating download archived copy
Dealing with worry in low intensity CBT | Chellingsworth, Farrand, Rayson | 2013 download archived copy

Presentation

The how and why of rumination and worry | Watkins | 2012 ~~download~~ archived copy
Targeting rumination by changing processing style: experiential and Imagery exercises | Watkins | 2011 ~~download~~ archived copy
Unwanted intrusive thoughts | David Clark | 2019 view

What Are Rumination And Worry?

Disorders That Are Associated with Rumination and Worry

generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
depression
social anxiety
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
pain
eating disorders
insomnia
psychosis

Helpful Questions for Assessing Rumination and Worry

How often do you find yourself ruminating or dwelling on your problems?
When do you tend to do most of your worrying or ruminating?
What are the consequences of ruminating and worrying for you? How does it make you feel?
Are there any particular feelings that are warning signs that you might worry?
What tends to stop your ruminating?

Treatment Approaches That Target Rumination and Worry

A variety of treatment approaches have been identified that target rumination and worry. These include:

approaching uncomfortable thoughts and feelings rather than avoiding them;
imaginal exposure to a ‘worry script’ or ‘worry story’;
problem-solving training;
processing information at a more concrete and less abstract level;
identifying and challenging positive and negative metacognitive beliefs that may contribute to repetitive thinking.

References

Harvey, A. G., Watkins, E., Mansell, W., & Shafran, R. (2004). Cognitive behavioural processes across psychological disorders: A transdiagnostic approach to research and treatment. New York: Oxford University Press.
Watkins, E. R. (2016). Rumination-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression. New York: Guilford Press.

Repetitive Thought (Rumination and Worry)

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