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Rumination Quiz

Rumination — also known as brooding, stewing, obsessing, worrying, overthinking, or dwelling on things — is an unhealthy style of thinking. It’s negative, repetitive, and prolonged, and has many undesirable consequences. It makes bad moods worse, interferes with motivation and problem-solving, and increases the risk of depression, overeating, alcohol abuse, and relationship problems. Take this quiz to find out if rumination is a problem for you.

For each statement below, select the answer that best fits you.

When I’m sad or blue, I keep thinking about how bad I feel.

Rarely true

Sometimes true

Often true

Very often true
When something angers or upsets me, it replays in my mind for a long time.

Rarely true

Sometimes true

Often true

Very often true
I worry about bad things that might happen in the future.

Rarely true

Sometimes true

Often true

Very often true
I dwell on my problems for long periods of time.

Rarely true

Sometimes true

Often true

Very often true
In my mind, I go over and over my embarrassing or awkward moments again and again.

Rarely true

Sometimes true

Often true

Very often true