<p>In this episode of Disordered, guest co-host Kimberley Quinlan joins Drew to pull back the curtain on one of the most persistent hurdles in anxiety recovery: rumination. Whether you call it overthinking, worry, or mental &quot;problem solving,&quot; the process is a universal constant across panic disorder, OCD, health anxiety, depression, and other related issues.</p><p><br></p><p>We examine why rumination feels like a productive tool when it is actually a mental compulsion designed to avoid the discomfort of uncertainty. Kim and Drew break down the &quot;tax&quot; that rumination imposes on your life, specifically the deep physiological and emotional exhaustion that leaves you without the energy to make the actual changes you want.</p><p><br></p><p>What You’ll Learn This Week:</p><p><br></p><p>The Process vs. The Content: Why the specific thing you are worried about matters less than the fact that you are stuck in a circular thinking process.</p><p><br></p><p>The &quot;What If&quot; Statement: How to recognize that &quot;what if&quot; is a statement of fear, not a question that requires an answer.</p><p><br></p><p>Problem Solving vs. Rumination: Identifying the moment thinking stops being an investment and starts becoming a drain.</p><p><br></p><p>Beliefs About Worry: Challenging the &quot;positive&quot; beliefs we hold, such as the idea that worrying makes us a better parent or more prepared for disaster.</p><p><br></p><p>Attention Control Training: Practical ways to re-engage with the present moment, even when your brain is screaming for certainty.</p><p><br></p><p>Recovery is about learning to put the thoughts down and returning to whatever is next in your day. It is hard work, and you might &quot;suck at it&quot; initially, but managing rumination is a skill for life that reduces suffering and brings you back to your own experiences.</p><p><br></p><p>Find Kim&#39;s podcast here:</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@youranxietytoolkit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://www.youtube.com/@youranxietytoolkit</a></p><p><br></p><p>Kim&#39;s courses and workshops:</p><p><a href="https://cbtschool.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://cbtschool.com</a></p><p><br></p><p>Kim&#39;s Instagram</p><p><a href="https://instagram.com/YourAnxietyToolkit" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">https://instagram.com/YourAnxietyToolkit</a></p><p><br></p><p>---</p><p>The <a href="https://disordered.fm/bluebook">Disordered Guide to Health Anxiety</a> is now available. If you&#39;re struggling with health anxiety, this book is for you.</p><p><br></p><p>---</p><p><br></p><p>Want a way to ask questions about this episode or interact with other Disordered listeners?  The Disordered app is nearing release! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://www.disordered.fm/">Visit our home page and get on our mailing list for more information.</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>---</p><p>Struggling with worry and rumination that you feel you can&#39;t stop or control? <a href="https://learn.theanxioustruth.com/worry-and-rumination-explained">Check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Worry and Rumination Explained</a>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, a two hour pre-recorded workshop produced by Josh and Drew. The workshop takes a deep dive into the mechanics of worrying and ruminating, offering some helpful ways to approach the seemingly unsolvable problem of trying to solve seemingly unsolvable problems.</p><p><br></p>