Indecisiveness can be a symptom of depression.You can't make a decision when you're depressed, or as soon as you do, you second guess yourself.If you are in a bad episode of depression, making decisions can be a source of stress.If you are depressed, try to make decisions in smaller chunks, eliminate unnecessary decisions, and ask for help if you need it.
Step 1: The problem should be identified.
It is important to have a good idea of what your problem is before you make a decision.Taking the time to say the problem out loud or write it down can help if it is a small problem.You could say, for example, "My problem is that I don't know what to wear to work tomorrow." or "I do not know how to handle my credit card bill this month."
Step 2: There are possible solutions listed.
You can start to identify solutions to the problem after you have defined it for yourself.There are a lot of different options to choose from.List your options and review them.For example, if you are trying to decide what to wear, you could say, "My options are black pants and a sweater, a skirt and blouse, or a work dress with a cardigan."
Step 3: The best solution will be chosen.
You have to evaluate your options so that you can pick the best one.Before you make a decision, weigh your options against each other.If you are having a hard time choosing what to wear, you might consider things like comfort and appropriateness.If you are trying to decide what to do with your credit card bill, you might consider which option will result in the best result.If you call the credit card company and ask to pay late, will you be better off if you deal with the late fee later?
Step 4: You should put your plan into action.
Put your plan into action after you weigh your options and choose the best option for you.It's best to do what you've decided.If the outcome of your plan turned out as you had hoped, it's time to reflect.If you have to make a similar decision again, use this information to your advantage.
Step 5: Break the decision down into smaller pieces.
If you want to make a big decision like buying a house, break it down into smaller decisions.Looking at a huge decision as one big question can lead to anxiety and stress.Break down the decision into smaller decisions.If you want to buy a house, make small decisions every day.One day is enough to choose a real estate agent or determine your financial situation.It is possible to devote another day to which one you want to live in.Only think about the one decision you have to make.Don't think about the future.Leave those for other days.
Step 6: The decision should be made by chance.
You might want to leave it up to chance.You can flip a coin, put the decisions on a slip of paper in a cup, or put one decision in each hand and mix it up.This allows you to make a decision without having to think about it.If you want to buy groceries today or not, this can be used to make small decisions.Should you use a coin flip to make a decision, ask yourself if it will affect my financial situation.Is it possible that this choice endangers me or someone else?Does the decision affect the lives of my family or children?Does this choice affect my future?A coin flip may not be the best way to make a decision if you answer yes to any of these questions.If you feel a sense of disappointment because you didn't get the other choice, flipping a coin or randomly drawing a decision out of a cup can help you figure it out.
Step 7: A list of decisions.
Setting up a list of go-to decisions will make the decision-making process easier for you.When you run into the situation, you already know what to do.If you go to dinner with friends or family, you will let them choose where to go.When you are there, you will always get the chicken dish.When you go out with friends and family, you may decide to go to a movie or choose paper bags at the grocery store.It is possible to avoid stress and make decisions when you need to.
Step 8: A routine can be established.
Making decisions about what to do every day can cause stress.A routine that you follow every day can help eliminate these decisions.You know what you need to do without having to make a decision.Your schedule should include the times you want to get up and go to bed, when you are going to eat, and how long you will work.You can come up with a menu of your own.The stress of choosing what to eat is eliminated.You can eat oatmeal or eggs every day.You can have chicken, fish, beef, and take out the last night of the week.
Step 9: There should be no unnecessary decisions.
Eliminate unnecessary decisions from your life and you can reduce the amount of decisions you have to make.It is possible to simplify by doing things the same way each day.You can either eat the same breakfast every morning or walk after work.A weekly dinner with your best friend can be set up at the same restaurant.It's a good idea to remind yourself that everything you eat, wear, or do is not right.It isn't better or worse than the other choices if you choose one thing.
Step 10: Some decisions don't matter.
Depression makes it difficult to make decisions.Small decisions probably don't matter because they feel impossible to make.It's possible to remind yourself about this and just choose one.You can't make a decision about whether to watch television, clean, cook, or go for a walk.None of these decisions are more important than the other.If you want to help make a decision, remember that none of these decisions are wrong and just choose one.
Step 11: You should try to work through the decision logically.
Depression can affect your ability to think logically and make you feel emotional.Try to work through the decision logically when you have to.Even if you feel like making an emotional choice, think of the most logical outcomes and reasons.If you are buying a house, you should ask yourself what is the most logical decision.Maybe you chose a cheaper house because you have an extra income or maybe you choose the house closest to your job.You can make a good decision despite your depression if you come up with logical reasons for each decision.It is helpful to do a pro/con list.If that makes more sense to you, you can use a flow chart.You can start by writing the problem down, then draw lines extending to your options along with lines from each option to show the potential benefits and drawbacks.You might have to do outside research to get more information.
Step 12: Once you have made your decision, accept it.
Depression can cause you to not trust the decisions you make.You may second guess yourself after you have made a decision.If you can, try to avoid this.Once you have made the best decision of your ability, either through logical reasoning or with the help of others, tell yourself you made a good decision and stick with it.The decision needs to be moved forward.You don't have to come up with reasons for your decision.Make the best out of the decision you have made.
Step 13: You should remind yourself that you make the decisions.
Depression can make you feel like your life is over.You can make decisions despite your depression, even if you feel like it.It may not be easy, but you can try to make a decision.Tell yourself that your depression doesn't control your decisions.I have control over my decisions.If you don't know what to eat for dinner, tell yourself, "Depression will not keep me from making a decision about dinner."I will make chicken tonight.
Step 14: Your decision making skills can be affected by your mood.
Depression can lead to different moods.You might have better days and bad days.You may find it easier to make decisions at certain times.Basic daily decisions can be made if you are not in a critical low of depression.It is possible that a decision may be too much during a critical low.Major decisions such as job changes and purchases should be put off until your depression improves.When there is a critical low, try not to make major life decisions.
Step 15: Asking for help in making decisions is a good idea.
When you have depression, you may not be able to trust yourself to make decisions.It's possible that you are making the wrong decision.Someone will help you make decisions.Pick one or two people you trust and who know you well.They can help you make a decision by giving you their opinions about what they think will be the best choice for you.
Step 16: Someone else can make the decision.
If you can't make a decision because you're depressed, let someone else make the decision for you.If you are incapable of making a decision for yourself during bad times of depression, this is the only way you can get one.Make sure you trust the person making the decision.It should be a family member or friend.You may allow a person to make simple decisions for you, like what you want for dinner or if you should go out, or even major decisions like should you get therapy or choose a medication.
Step 17: Don't use cognitive behavioral therapy.
It's possible to figure out how to make decisions with cognitive behavioral therapy.Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you replace negative thought patterns with positive ones.When CBT is used for decision-making, you are taught how to replace your feelings of indecision with a proactive way to make a decision.You can learn how to make a pro/con list or look at the decision from multiple sides during CBT.It is possible to learn how to replace emotionally-driven decision making with more balanced decisions.It is possible to learn how to avoid jumping to conclusions.