ORIGINS OF RUMINATIVE THOUGHT - TRAUMA, INCOMPLETENESS, NONDISCLOSURE, AND SUPPRESSION

The purpose of this paper is to discuss theories of the origin of rumi native thought. We begin by providing a working definition of ruminati on, separating rumination from other forms of cognitive activity and d istinguishing ruminations from ordinary memories. Then, we review what we believe are the major categories of theory that attempt to account for the existence and nature of rumination. These include theories of traumatization, incompleteness, nondisclosure, and thought suppressio n. Ruminations may originate for a number of reasons, but it seems the y may continue because of our attempts to control them. Evidence from studies on thought suppression suggests that the suppression of unwant ed thoughts may in fact fuel the very emotions and thoughts we are try ing to avoid. Thought suppression may set up a state in which we not o nly increase the amount we think about an unwanted thought, but potent ially also sharpen our emotional reaction to those thoughts.