Decision making....Hard or easy?

I come from a long line of people who have anxiety over making decisions, even about little things. My elderly mother, age 81, frets over the smallest of things, seemingly worse as she gets older, but the trait was always there with both parents. Until age 41, when I was prescribed an antidepressant, I was virtually paralyzed at making decisions, and let other people decide for me (mostly my spouse at the time).
I still grapple with this daily, though I know the medication helps.
Last year, I grabbed the bull by the horns and sold my bigger house to move to a smaller, cheaper home. It about killed me, but it was the right decision. I said, and still say, it was the "hardest thing I've ever done." Sometimes I even wish I had a man still making my decisions for me, but at the same time, feel a sense of empowerment that I've managed to survive.
Waffling for two weeks now, I finally bit the bullet and enrolled in a second summer grad class in order to expedite the attainment of my MA. I'm such a wimp! But I can do it!
Does anyone else here have such problems with decision-making?
Patty

Edited by January

My gosh! You need some serious help...

hmmmmmm I agree with seeker. you need some serious help.

seeker I too have issues with decisions but I make them right or wrong.

<font color="green"> </font> Ofcourse I'm getting help,I don't like those thoughts in my head. Would you? That's why I'm taking anti-psychotic medication! Plus,I stopped cutting 7 years ago,I've been stable for that long with my meds. Even though I get these bad thoughts,I do care more about other people,and thats why I used to hurt myself instead,because I didn't want to hurt anyone else! But sometimes the urges just get really strong and they really bother me,and I have to make that decision,and it's hard because I don't want to do either anymore,hurt myself or anyone else!

I have a hard time making some decisions. Sometimes it seems the smaller the decision -- such as what to have for the dinner -- the harder it is. Big decisions I am liking to do a weighted pro-con list and then listen to my heart.

Yes, Patty, at times you would think that I am a pillar of salt or cement. I understand. love, pat

gosh yes, like you I can be paralyzed by indecision or the need to make a decision.

if it wasn't for being able to draw on impulsivity I might still be comtemplating what to have for breakfast on May 17, 1972 !

I know my PTSD causes indecision, I think? hehehe yeah.

Thanks, Pat, Echoes and Sky, for "echoing" my own feelings of indecision!
Patty

Making decisions is tough for me too. Except…when I am impulsive—then I make them without even thinking. I go to the extremes, I either make them without thinking or I take forever to make them and then even longer to act on them.

my 80 year old sister says this, "i can make a decision, it might be the wrong one, but i can make it"............

I dont know

Im not sure.

I'm often too impulsive so sometimes a crummy decision maker (but fortunately, if it's a very big decision my husband's there to slow me down :-) I'm a pretty good judge though so if I do study something I'm pretty comfortable with my decisions.

Cant make decisions and second guess myself constantly about everything. Have such a hard time writing papers and doing school stuff becasue always second guess everything I do...

Yes, Just.signme...
I have had to restrict myself to one grad class at a time because having to make decisions over priorities and deadlines of assignments paralyzes me! I just finished a "position paper" for my Seminar class and it drove me crazy!
Patty

Me too! OMG going to the grocery store is so painful!

I can't remember who said they moved (how do I go back in the middle of a post?) we did that a year ago - bought a fix-it-upper in a good school district, and it is a bigger house, more deicisons.

some days I'm in brain freeze!

I don't understand it ~ the ones I make week after week - grocery stopping is excrutiating, and I avoid shopping for clothing until it's emergency time...

can someone help me understand what it is about decisions that are so paralizing?

Gabby!!

There are Waaaay too many choice at the grocery store! Whew!! I hear you on that one.

lets just say decisions and I dont get along.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
if it wasn't for being able to draw on impulsivity I might still be comtemplating what to have for breakfast on May 17, 1972 !

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Good One, Echoes! If it wasn't for impulsivity, I wouldn't have any fun at all!

AS

Echos,
I did it again! making salad and I bought black beans all right, but the wrong style. Grrrr.

is it anxiety that keeps me so numb in the stores, or do I have a learning issue under that?

I'm just asking random questions really I think I develop routines just to avoid having to make new decisions all the time. it's more comfortable to throw on the same 'outfit' when I hang out at home, for example...I'm really trying to understnad what is the root problem about making decisions?