Rumination Disorder

Rumination Disorder, also known as “mind-wandering disorder” and “merycism,” is a condition whereby individuals are continuously distracted from their current task or cannot complete an assigned task due to the inability to stop thinking about unimportant or irrelevant topics. Rumination disorder can also disable individuals from carrying out tasks valued by others or in which they would normally be interested. It typically results in problems related to time management and attention. It may frequently co-occur with ADHD, depression, and Bipolar Disorder. Treatment for Rumination Disorder is typically fairly successful with cognitive behavioural therapy and medications.

About Rumination Disorder:

Rumination is a habit of mind-wandering that can be understood as an automatic response to certain triggers, such as physical or emotional stress, boredom, or worry. These triggers are known to induce thought states which are not associated with the current problem one wants to solve. The urge to return to these thought states can sometimes lead the individual to get stuck in rumination repeatedly until the person gives up completely. By using this information, one can easily define Rumination Disorder.

Rumination disorder, or merycism, is a disorder with characteristics similar to chronic depression, except that the individual involved is never joyful, no matter what they are doing.

Many ruminators find it difficult to understand why they are constantly thinking about certain topics or unable to stop thinking about them. They may also feel guilty for their inability to control their thoughts.

Rumination disorder is commonly co-morbid with other disorders, particularly ADHD, depression, and bipolar disorder.

There are no medications specifically for ruminations at present. However, if the associated disorder has a known treatment regimen (such as depression), then treatment for the associated disorder will usually have beneficial effects on the rumination disorder. Antidepressants can be used to treat co-morbid depression. Likewise, ADHD medication can reduce attentional symptoms associated with mind-wandering and rumination disorder. Treatment for Rumination Disorder typically involves a combination of medication and cognitive-behavioural therapy.

Causes of Rumination Disorder: 

• Other disorders and diseases often cause rumination Disorder. The most common cause is depression. However, some more causes of Rumination Disorder are

– anxiety disorders

– bipolar disorder

– substance abuse

– eating disorders.

• It can also be caused by trauma, such as car accidents, sexual assault, and domestic violence.

• Addiction: Alcoholism or drug addiction can lead to rumination and distract individuals from solving problems. This is particularly the case in those who participate in substance abuse activities.
• Employment Stress: Workplace stress can cause mental exhaustion, which can lead to a state of mind-wandering.

Rumination is typically a result of the repeated use of thoughts and emotions to cope with unhappiness and stress. Thoughts are thought to be catalysts for rumination because they are seen as a response to situations that create stress.

Symptoms of Rumination Disorder:

Rumination disorder has been described in the context of depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, ADHD, and schizophrenia. In individuals with rumination disorder, symptoms significantly increase when under stress and experiencing rumination-related triggers. 

Some common symptoms of Rumination Disorder are:

• Distractibility
• Forgetfulness
• Decreased productivity
• Negative self-image, low self-esteem, or guilt feelings
• Relationship problems result from feelings of negativity or detachment.
• Inability to shift focus from immediately stressful situations
• Inability to reflect on long-term goals and consequences of actions
• Feelings of inadequacy and failure
• Lack of interest in outside stimuli when ruminating or occupied with a stressful topic.

Treatment for Rumination Disorder: 

The treatment for Rumination Disorder can be done by following methods:

• Self-control: An individual should control his/her thoughts by avoiding negative thoughts and focusing on the positive. To do so, they should avoid ruminating and focus on the benefits of certain situations. Positive thinking is considered to be a powerful way of treating rumination disorder.

• Relaxation techniques: Relaxation techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises can help the individual cope with stress.

• Cognitive-behavioural therapy: Cognitive behavioural therapy helps individuals remove their attention away from rumination-related thoughts and replace it with more productive ones. It also helps them reprogram their minds to respond to certain thoughts by reinforcing those positive thoughts.

• Psychostimulants: Some individuals may find that taking a stimulant drug such as Ritalin or Adderall can help them regulate their mental states and reduce their rumination. However, any use of stimulants should be strictly regulated by a doctor, and the individual should not take stimulants without the recommendation of a medical professional.
• Medication: Some individuals may benefit from medication to help them cope with stress and anxiety. Medications such as antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers have been used to treat rumination disorders.

Conclusion: 

It is important to approach rumination disorder with due care, as the causes and treatment can be complex. People suffering from rumination disorder are often also suffering from symptoms of other disorders such as anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Although there are no medications specifically used to treat rumination disorder, the treatment for Rumination Disorder by treating other associated conditions usually improves and helps alleviate symptoms of the condition. Cognitive-behavioural therapy and psychostimulants have been shown to help treat this condition and have many therapeutic uses. Rumination Disorder is often caused by other disorders or diseases too.