“Organic strawberries or regular...  do the dishes now or tomorrow...bottle or breast...chicken nuggets or chicken pot pie… Huggies or cloth...co-sleep or crib… daycare or homecare… to work or not to work”

As if the journey of parenthood wasn’t difficult enough, adding in the layer of societal expectations on each and every decision only complicates matters worse. On average a person makes upwards of 35,000 decisions each and every day, intentionally or passively, which leads many to experience known as “decision fatigue.”  

The idea behind this concept is that the human’s ability to make decisions can get worse after making many decisions, due to the brain being more fatigued. 

“The lack of ability to make decisions can be a core symptom 

of clinical depression.”

We are constantly making both big and small decisions often without even thinking about it. The lack of ability to make decisions can be a core symptom of clinical depression. Perhaps you feel more passive than ever or making what used to be a simple decision feels like climbing a mountain. Apathy and the inability to anticipate a positive outcome can also make you feel stuck and powerless.  When depression hits, it is common for anxiety to also rear its ugly head. This may show up as an intense fear of making the wrong decision as well as over-analyzing , obsessing and overthinking. Depression ultimately affects our self-confidence and tricks us into feeling we aren't capable of making the “right” choice. 

So what do you do?

Ask for help. Be honest with yourself, and know you are worthy of receiving the help you need. If the distress of decision making is intense, it is important to let your support person know that you would like for them to take over the decision making until you have capacity to do so. Ask them to choose what is for dinner instead of asking you. Tell them to decide whether you should sign up your little one for swimming lessons or not. Remember that this is not a forever ask, but rather a temporary solution, a brain-break, to relieve you from feeling overwhelmed. 

Talk to an Expert

Reach out to your OB, your family doctor, or a therapist. Once you receive the needed treatment for your depression and/or anxiety you will start  to feel back to yourself again. In-time, you will then naturally resume your role as a decision-maker.

So what’s next....

Therapy provides you with a compassionate space where you can let go and share your story with someone who can provide you with unbiased support. A qualified mental health professional can help you process all the different aspects of your human experience while developing strategies for functioning on a daily basis. In time, you can gain control over emotional triggers and learn to cope in a way that promotes greater healing and peace. To schedule an appointment, Thrive Postpartum, Couples and Family Therapists can be reached by text or phone at 224-698-9792. Alternatively you can also schedule an appointment online. We look forward to hearing from you.