Instead, it’s when things fail and we are in a dysphoric mood that we start getting obsessed with whys. As a matter of fact, people who live with chronic stressors, such as a loveless marriage, financial problems, or dissatisfying jobs, tend to ruminate more. The reason is plain: When people are dealing with their problems, they try to figure out their causes in an attempt to solve them and prevent future mistakes. They think they are gaining insights.
