Complaining and Complaining: When Talking to Friends Can Become a Problem. “Co-rumination” refers to excessive talking about problems.

It is characterized by rehashing problems, speculating about problems, and dwelling on negative feelings. Rumination activates the stress and anxiety areas of the brain. Because rumination involves circular thinking, it tends to magnify problems. If you notice that a conversation is going in circles instead of moving towards a solution, you should stick to the rule: If you don't come to a conclusion after two minutes, it's better to leave the topic alone.