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Rumination only during periods

4 replies

Crinklyoldhag · 07/11/2022 10:52

Im Posting here looking for kindness and practical tips on dealing with rumination. I generally don’t have mental health problems. Any mood or anxiety fluctuations are generally hormonal/cycle and age related and very short lived. I am on HRT which actually does help most of the time.

My problem is that a few days before and the first few days during my period I start obsessing and ruminating over irrelevant things that have me convinced my partner has been having affairs . He hasn’t but my mind keeps looking for evidence and playing things over and over in my mind culminating in us having an uncomfortable talk about it. Now I know he hasn’t been having affairs deep down but my thoughts keep playing over and over. I know he loves me and our life together is for the most part happy.

It all goes away as soon as my period does so I know this is temporary and part of a pattern.

I just would like advice on how to stop the rumination at the beginning.

I don’t have any other obsessive behaviours. I don’t have OCD, depression or anxiety. It would make more sense if I did. The subject of my rumination is less important than the process my brain goes through. I just want to stop thinking these things. If I was single I’m sure I’d be obsessing over something else during those few days of my cycle. It’s awful.

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 07/11/2022 17:54

Have you experienced being cheated on before? Where do you think these thoughts have come from?

Crinklyoldhag · 08/11/2022 08:44

Yes my ex cheated and my father was notorious for it. I guess I see it happening all the time with friends & relatives and their partners too. It just seems to be everywhere.

OP posts:
Eyesopenwideawake · 08/11/2022 09:41

OK, so there's your answer. There's a part of your mind which believes your partner might cheat (even if you know, rationally, that he's not your ex or like your father) and when you are feeling more emotional due to your period it pops up to make you double check everything.

Have a look at this video on overthinking and fortune telling; I think it will resonate with you.

Crinklyoldhag · 10/11/2022 13:04

Thank you! I shall do just that!

OP posts:
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