Worry vs Rumination

A short comparison of worry (anxiety) vs rumination.

Worry

Worry is future-oriented anxious thinking, typically focused on potential threats or problems that might occur. What-if questions, and thinking-chains it is an intolerance of uncertainty and also avoiding emotions.

Worry is synonymous with anxiety and in excess is a key feature of Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

• Toward a definition of intolerance of uncertainty: A review of factor analytical studies of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale

Rumination

Rumination is past-oriented repetitive thinking, characterised by dwelling on things that have already happened. For example why mistakes were made, perceived failures, or trying to understand why something occurred.

• Dwelling on negative events and thinking about them in detail.
• It prolongs negative feeling.
• Co-rumination which is more common in female social structures, can actually accentuate problems.
• "Reflective pondering" may serve analytical purposes: brooding (self-critical) vs reflection. Treynor, W., Gonzalez, R., & Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2003)
• Rumination impairs problem-solving rather than enhancing it, interferes with instrumental behaviour, and prolongs negative mood states Nolen-Hoeksema, S., Wisco, B. E., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2008)
• Reflecting on rumination: Consequences, causes, mechanisms and treatment of rumination. Differentiates between "Why did this happen to me?" vs "What specifically went wrong and what steps could change it" in rumination.