Rumination

[taurean]

Just been reading a Ruby Wax self-help book, and she makes the point that the word ruminating is based on the actions of a cow. 

The cow chews the cud over and over, then regurgitates it from the rumen and has another go. 

It's what we do when we ruminate in our thinking - go over and over the same matter which is bothering us, regurgitate it up and have another go. 

In the case of the cow there is an end product - calves and milk. 

In our case ruminating only cements us further to our obsessions and without resolving our concerns. 

(So too when we worry. We go over and over a problem without ever determining a solution).

Ruminating and carrying out other compulsions connects with the obsessional thought, giving it meaning, making it stronger. 

When we find ourselves caught up in the urge to carry out compulsions, we need to stop , realise what we are doing then gently, but firmly, refocus away. 

And keep practising this until we have formed a new default activity for easing away intrusions. 

This practice won't work in isolation - it needs to be done alongside gaining a real understanding of how OCD works, and why your OCD obsession is false, exaggerated or revulsive. And also in tandem with scheduled practice of exposure and response prevention, gradually disarming your triggers and rendering them benign.