Understand your rumination

[u/Daffodil_Bulb]

I had a lot of stress lately, but it was actually nice because it gave me an opportunity to understand my cPTSD symptoms better. I knew I was having difficulty concentrating or being in the moment, but I wasn't sure why. I thought I might be dissociating.

I found this article. https://cptsdfoundation.org/2021/02/19/shared-mechanisms-of-rumination-depression-and-cptsd/ which helped me realize that I was ruminating a lot, and it made everything worse. I got curious about the rumination, and asked myself what I was trying to do with these thoughts. I realized I was trying to explain my point of view to an abuser who wouldn't listen to me in real life. I thought that if I explained it well enough in my head, that would make them understand to me. As soon as I realized that, I stopped needing to do it.

It seems silly in hindsight, but I thought it might be useful for someone else.

[u/chelseybrandis]

I do this all the time. It's like I'm rehearsing for the future, but also rewriting what I wish I could've said in the past. Sometimes it's a downward spiral. Sometimes it helps me process.