Rumination is when you focus so much on your negative thoughts that it leads to severe episodes of anxiety and depression. People with increased negative rumination tend to experience more negative thoughts and focus on the past more often. Luckily, treatment can teach you how to live in the present moment to prevent your anxiety and depression from worsening.
Negative Thinking
Being an analytical person means you may tend to overthink. It is normal to feel sad about an event that made you upset. It is another thing for these thoughts to be repetitive and consume too much space in your mind. If someone is mad at us or we see that our credit card bill is higher than usual, it is healthy to feel worried or upset. However, if these problems take over your whole day and you miss out on the good things, you may be struggling with your mental health.
Causes of Negative Thinking
Negative thought patterns can either result from a mental health disorder or a personality trait in leaning towards the negative. There are three reasons negative thinking occurs. One reason is fear of the future and not knowing what is coming. This can come from a fear of having no control instead of thinking of what you can control. The second reason is anxiety over the present in thinking of the worst-case scenarios for every problem you are dealing with. The third reason is being ashamed of our past mistakes or failures. By ruminating too much on the negativity, you miss out on the positivity.
How to Cope With Rumination of Negative Thinking
If these negative thought patterns are flooding your mind, it is a sign that you may have an unhealthy way of coping. Luckily, you have the power to break through these negative thought patterns by observing them. By journaling your thought patterns, you can see that everything you are thinking is negative. You can also practice mindfulness, taking small actions to solve your problems and let go of what you have no control over. If you still find yourself ruminating, speak to a therapist to track negative thought patterns.
Negative thoughts can lead to a destructive pattern. Focusing only on the negativity can stop you from looking at the good. By taking a better look at your thought patterns and living in the present moment, you can learn to appreciate your life for what it is. At Alta Loma, we understand what negative thought patterns can do to your mental health, and we are here to help you. Our transformative treatment center in Georgetown, Texas, can provide you with individualized therapy, behavior analyst sessions, life skills groups, and much more. Call us at (866) 457-3843 for more information.