Why Is It So Difficult For Me To Make Decisions?
Have you been experiencing difficulty making decisions recently? Most people have some difficulty with decisions from time to time, especially major life decisions. However, some people suddenly find it difficult to make even minor decisions on an everyday basis. In these cases, this indecisiveness may be related to depression or anxiety.
With depression, even small, everyday decisions can seem daunting. If this sounds like your experience, you may be living with depression or anxiety.
What Is Clinical Depression?
Clinical depression is one of the most common mental health disorders there is. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 8% of the U.S. adult population experiences depression in a given year. This translates to approximately 21 million people. One common, but lesser-known sign of depression is difficulty making decisions. Some other possible signs of depression include:
Feelings of unexplained sadness
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Withdrawing from friends and family
Changes in sleep (sleeping less or more than usual)
Agitation or restlessness
Fatigue
Trouble concentrating
Eating less or more than usual
Crying episodes
Lack of motivation or enthusiasm
Suicidal thoughts*
* If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, reach out for help immediately. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988 and is available 24/7. The lifeline also offers assistance via live chat on its website.
Making Decisions And Moving Forward
One of the reasons that people who are depressed sometimes have trouble making decisions may be that they are not as motivated as they used to be. The reward of making any decision may no longer seem important, so they may not see an incentive to make a choice. Researchers believe that the prefrontal cortex in the brain is impaired when someone experiences clinical depression, and this may cause impaired decision-making ability.
Anxiety May Contribute To Difficulty With Decisions
Anxiety may also contribute to difficulty making decisions. The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as “an emotion characterized by apprehension and somatic symptoms of tension in which an individual anticipates impending danger, catastrophe, or misfortune.” If you are experiencing anxiety, you may feel worried, fearful, or isolated. You may also experience indecision. You could fear that you will make the wrong decision and therefore might overthink/overanalyze any choice that you make.
If you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, it may help to speak with a licensed therapist. A therapist may use cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you assess negative or inaccurate thoughts. This may improve your thoughts and emotions, which may, in turn, help you make decisions with greater ease and clarity.
Getting Help With Decision-Making In Therapy
If you feel hesitant to sign up for traditional in-office therapy at this time, you might consider online therapy. Online therapy has been found to be just as effective as in-person therapy. One study found no difference between in-person cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and online CBT for treating symptoms of depression and anxiety.
With online therapy, you can connect with a licensed therapist via phone, live chat, or videoconference at a time that works for you. You can also contact your therapist any time through in-app messaging, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can. This may be useful if you experience difficulty with decision-making in between therapy sessions.
Below are some reviews of BetterHelp counselors from people experiencing depression:
Counselor Reviews
“I put off finding a therapist for a long time. I dreaded my first conversation with Neil and all the awkward, clunky explanations I’d have to give about my depression and anxiety. All of the things that felt like dirty little secrets that caused me so much pain. But I was so pleasantly surprised by the way Neil accurately picked up on what I was saying and gave me more insight into how my brain was working. It made my issue feel so much less of a personal problem and more of a universal problem we could examine together. He always gives me a thoughtful response within a day or two any time I send a message. I actually think we’ve made more progress in between sessions just by being able to communicate things that are coming up in real-time. Neil is intelligent and kind. I really appreciate his communication style and highly recommend him.”
“Thanks to Melissa Powell I have come to the realization that I am dealing with depression and anxiety (a hard pill to swallow) and am now working on developing a routine/coping and grounding skills that will assist me in everyday living and in the event of an anxiety attack or a depression episode. Melissa also helped me understand that some days are going to be harder than most and on those days I have to work harder to get the simplest of tasks done and that is ok.”
Takeaway
An online therapist may be able to help you with any difficult decisions you’re facing and help you make decisions with greater confidence. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a licensed therapist who has experience treating anxiety, depression, or anything else you may be experiencing. Take the first step toward improved decision-making and reach out to BetterHelp today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Difficulty Making Decisions
Why Do I Have Difficulty Making Decisions?
While it’s common for everyone to occasionally experience trouble making decisions (especially a life-changing decision such as choosing a new job), a chronic inability to make decisions may indicate that you are experiencing depression or anxiety. However, difficulty making decisions alone does not mean that you have anxiety or depression. There are many other symptoms of these mental health conditions that play a part in a professional diagnosis.
How Do You Make A Decision When You're Unable To?
Making a decision, especially a big decision that will change your life (e.g., choosing a new job or moving to a new city), can be stressful and challenging. When you’re feeling stuck between multiple options, you may want to take some time to determine what it is that you really want. Rather than choosing an option simply because it is the expected option or because others are pressuring you to choose it, you might consider what would make you happy and what would benefit you the most.
It may also help to work on your general decision-making skills. You might take advantage of small decision-making opportunities throughout the day to become more decisive. As you gain the skill of decision-making on a smaller scale, you may find that it becomes easier for you to make important decisions.
Strategies such as making a pros and cons list, allowing yourself 24 hours to mull over the decision without deciding anything, and asking others for their input can also be helpful when you’re struggling to make a decision. Visualizing the effects that different options will bring may also help you to gain clarity during the decision-making process.
Can Indecisiveness Be A Symptom Of Anxiety?
Yes, indecisiveness can be a symptom of anxiety, and it’s been linked to other mental health disorders like depression as well. Other symptoms of anxiety may include excessive worrying, trouble sleeping, self-doubt, chronic indigestion, and muscle tension. If you think that you may have anxiety and the symptoms are negatively affecting your life, consider reaching out to an online therapist for help.
What Is The Root Cause Of Indecisiveness, And How Can I Move Forward?
The root cause of indecisiveness can vary from person to person, but there can be several common causes. For example, some people may be indecisive because of an underlying mental health disorder, such as anxiety or depression. Others may become overwhelmed and unable to make any decisions because they’re faced with too many options at once (i.e., choice overload).
Some people may feel the need to please others, leading them to vacillate between two options: the one that they want to choose and the one that they feel they need to choose in order to make others happy. Finally, some people are simply afraid of making the wrong decision.
Taking time to notice your decision-making process and what is preventing you from making good, timely decisions may provide insight into how to move forward.
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