The ADHD Adults Podcast Episode 197 ADHD and Rumination
Nov 3, 2025
Dive into the world of ADHD and rumination as the hosts unravel the intricacies of repetitive thinking. They discuss how past and future-focused rumination can derail mental health. Discover why individuals with ADHD may be more prone to these negative thought cycles and explore effective coping strategies like ADHD-informed CBT and mindfulness. Personal anecdotes add a relatable touch, with humorous banter closing out the discussion. It's an insightful mix of science and life experiences.
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Ruminating Vs Useful Reflection
- Rumination is a loop of negative thoughts that rarely leads to solutions.
- Alex contrasts harmful rumination with useful reflection that actually helps learning.
Two Main Rumination Types
- There are two unhelpful rumination flavours: past-focused negative and future-focused anxious.
- Negative replays mistakes while anxious rumination runs endless
DMN's Role In ADHD Rumination
- People with ADHD are more prone to rumination partly because the default mode network stays active.
- A persistently active DMN pulls attention to past embarrassments and future fears, feeding rumination.
