Why You Struggle to Make Decisions —and How to Overcome It

When I need to make a decision — whether it’s something simple like what to eat today or something major like choosing a field of study, I find myself overthinking and struggling to decide. Is there a way to help with this?

We all hesitate from time to time, especially before important decisions. But for some people, the difficulty in making decisions is accompanied by real anxiety, which can interfere with daily life.

One of the main challenges in decision-making is avoidance in areas like family, relationships, and even work. Sometimes, people begin to avoid any situation that requires them to choose.

Is It Normal or Something More?

The first step is to determine whether this is a normal level of difficulty that most people experience, or whether it may be related to an anxiety-based condition such as obsessive-compulsive tendencies.

Ask yourself:

• How long does it take you to make a decision?

• After deciding, do you often regret it or feel ongoing doubt?

If decisions take an unusually long time and are followed by repeated regret and second-guessing, this may point to anxiety that could benefit from treatment.

How Can This Type of Anxiety Be Treated?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help by guiding you through a thought process that identifies the underlying difficulties and the thinking patterns that create fear around decision-making.

From there, you can learn to replace those thoughts with calmer, more effective ones. Relaxation techniques can also be helpful when anxious thoughts prevent you from making a decision.

Based on insights from Yaffa Ifargan, MA, educator and CBT therapist.