{"formatVersion":"1.1","id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive","path":"/answers/indecisive","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive","title":"Why am I so indecisive?","family":"Answers detail","description":"A reader describes lifelong difficulty making both everyday and major decisions, alongside anxiety.","language":"en-US","access":{"audience":"public","indexable":true},"provenance":{"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive","wordpressId":"6186","contentCompleteness":"complete","dateScope":"original-source"},"authors":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck#person","name":"Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck"}],"reviewer":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson"},"dates":{"datePublished":"2024-06-01T00:35:13Z","dateModified":"2025-09-07T08:39:42Z","lastReviewed":"2025-09-15"},"content":{"html":"<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\"><ol><li><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/\">Home</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers\">Answers</a></li><li><span aria-current=\"page\">Why am I so indecisive?</span></li></ol></nav><div class=\"article-page answer-page\" data-answer-template=\"conversation\"><header class=\"answer-heading article-heading\"><a class=\"answer-back\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers\">Answers</a><h1>Why am I so indecisive?</h1><div class=\"answer-credits\"><a class=\"answer-credit-person\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/4248f6de508c9d830e0cf812.jpg\" width=\"40\" decoding=\"async\"><span><span class=\"answer-credit-role\">Written by</span><span class=\"answer-credit-name\">Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.</span></span></a><a class=\"answer-credit-person\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/73305651cb93afbdebb69a9a.jpg\" width=\"40\" decoding=\"async\"><span><span class=\"answer-credit-role\">Medically reviewed by</span><span class=\"answer-credit-name\">Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.</span></span></a></div><dl class=\"answer-heading-dates\"><div><dt>Published</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2024-06-01T00:35:13Z\">June 1, 2024</time></dd></div><div><dt>Updated</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2025-09-07T08:39:42Z\">September 7, 2025</time></dd></div><div><dt>Reviewed</dt><dd><time datetime=\"2025-09-15\">September 15, 2025</time></dd></div></dl></header><nav aria-label=\"Answer navigation\" class=\"answer-nav\"><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#summary\" aria-current=\"location\">Summary</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#question\">Question</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#answer\">Answer</a></nav><article aria-label=\"Reader question and professional response\" class=\"prose\" data-answer-thread=\"\" id=\"article-content\"><section aria-labelledby=\"summary-title\" class=\"answer-overview\" id=\"summary\"><h2 id=\"summary-title\">Summary</h2><figure class=\"answer-question-image\"><img alt=\"An adult considers notebooks at a bright desk.\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"667\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/ae57125bc19be1ee3ee5457e.webp\" width=\"1000\" decoding=\"auto\"></figure><p>A reader describes lifelong difficulty making both everyday and major decisions, alongside <a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/anxiety\" class=\"article-inline-link\" data-context-link=\"355\">anxiety</a>. They have recently begun psychological care and medication and wonder whether indecision has a diagnostic name.</p><p>The response explains that indecision is not a separate diagnosis in the referenced diagnostic manual, but may accompany anxiety, depression, or perfectionist tendencies.</p><p>It supports the reader’s decision to seek care while emphasizing that only an in-person assessment can clarify what is happening; the reader can ask their clinician about the diagnosis and treatment plan.</p></section><div class=\"answer-originals\" id=\"original-conversation\"><div class=\"answer-originals-body\"><section aria-labelledby=\"question-person\" class=\"answer-post answer-question\" id=\"question\"><div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"answer-avatar answer-reader\">?</div><div class=\"answer-post-content\"><header class=\"answer-person\"><h2 id=\"question-person\">Question</h2><span>Reader · Identity withheld</span></header><p>For as long as I can remember I have had a major problem with “decision making”. I will constantly think about the various options in my mind, from large decisions like what career is for me or what religion should I believe in to small decisions like out of five fast food restaurants which one should I eat at or small like changing my clothes several times because the one I am trying is just not right.</p>\n<p>I started to see a Psychologist three weeks ago, twice a month, and I started to take Paxil ( which has helped with my sweating hands and anxiety, but I still suffer from “indecisions”? Please suggest what I am doing right and your opinion what wrong with me, is there a name for “indecision” like “indecision disorder”. I would appreciate a response.</p>\n<p>Thank you.</p></div></section><section aria-labelledby=\"response-person\" class=\"answer-post answer-response\" id=\"answer\"><a aria-label=\"View Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D. profile\" class=\"answer-avatar\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"44\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/4248f6de508c9d830e0cf812.jpg\" width=\"44\" decoding=\"async\"></a><div class=\"answer-post-content\"><header class=\"answer-person\"><h2 id=\"response-person\">Answer</h2><span>Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.</span></header><p>There is no “indecision disorder” listed in the DSM (the diagnosis book for psychiatry/psychology/social work). However, there are disorders that can be associated with indecision. Key among the possibilities would be the anxiety and <a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/depressive-disorders\" class=\"article-inline-link\" data-context-link=\"355\">depressive disorders</a>. </p><p>Since you report anxiety and sweating hands, in addition to your indecision, it would seem more likely to be in the anxiety spectrum, with perhaps also some obsessional and/or perfectionist personality stuff going on.</p>\n<p>Of course, there are also anxious “atypical” forms of depression and a variety of other possible things that might be happening. Only a qualified doctor who has examined you in person would be able to arrive at a more definitive answer to your question.</p>\n<p>I’m very glad to hear that you are working with a doctor to get some help for your indecision and associated anxiety. Working with this doctor and getting yourself on medication that reduces your symptoms (your anxiety and sweating hands) are things you are doing right. Feel free to ask your doctor what he or she has diagnosed you with. It is your right to know this information.</p></div></section></div></div><section aria-label=\"Subject matter expert\" class=\"article-expert article-expert-inline\" data-expert-kind=\"related\" data-expert-layout=\"standard\"><p class=\"article-bio-role\">Subject matter expert</p><div class=\"article-expert-identity\"><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/carlos-protzel\" class=\"card-identity-photo\" aria-label=\"Carlos Protzel  Psy.D.\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/8e1ee0ec187d4c3ff0be4ad3.jpg\" width=\"64\" decoding=\"async\"></a><h2><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/carlos-protzel\">Carlos Protzel <span class=\"expert-credentials\">Psy.D.</span></a></h2></div><p class=\"article-expert-focus\">Integrative mental health care</p></section></article><div class=\"answer-endmatter\"><section class=\"answer-author-card answer-reviewer-card\"><a class=\"answer-card-avatar\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck\" aria-label=\"View Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D. profile\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/4248f6de508c9d830e0cf812.jpg\" width=\"64\" decoding=\"async\"></a><div><span class=\"answer-reviewer-label\">Author</span><h2><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck\">Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.</a></h2><p>Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D. is a trauma-informed psychologist with over 30 years of experience helping people navigate mental health challenges.</p></div></section><section class=\"answer-author-card answer-reviewer-card\"><a class=\"answer-card-avatar\" href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson\" aria-label=\"View Jesse Hanson, Ph.D. profile\"><img alt=\"\" height=\"64\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/73305651cb93afbdebb69a9a.jpg\" width=\"64\" decoding=\"async\"></a><div><span class=\"answer-reviewer-label\">Medical reviewer</span><h2><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson\">Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.</a></h2><p>Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a clinical and somatic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in neuropsychology, specializing in integrative, mind-body…</p></div></section><section aria-label=\"Related community\" class=\"article-topic-community article-topic-community-end\"><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/anxiety\" class=\"card-identity-photo\" aria-label=\"Anxiety\"><img alt=\"\" class=\"topic-community-banner\" height=\"800\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/fa402357b8ea978280a373a6.webp\" width=\"1200\" decoding=\"async\" srcset=\"/assets/responsive/17baa26e0104da78e4db1610.webp 800w, /assets/optimized/fa402357b8ea978280a373a6.webp 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 961px) 236px, calc(100vw - 80px)\"></a><p class=\"topic-community-label\">Related community</p><h2><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/anxiety\">Anxiety</a></h2><p>A welcoming place for questions and perspectives about anxiety in everyday life.</p></section><section class=\"answer-related\"><h2>Related questions</h2><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/will-my-boyfriend-eventually-hit-me\">Will my boyfriend eventually hit me?</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/will-i-ever-feel-normal\">Will I ever feel normal?</a><a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/wife-of-21-years-has-a-boyfriend\">Why does my wife of 21 years have a boyfriend?</a></section></div></div>","text":"Home Answers Why am I so indecisive? AnswersWhy am I so indecisive? Written byMark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.Medically reviewed byJesse Hanson, Ph.D. Published June 1, 2024 Updated September 7, 2025 Reviewed September 15, 2025 SummaryQuestionAnswer Summary A reader describes lifelong difficulty making both everyday and major decisions, alongside anxiety. They have recently begun psychological care and medication and wonder whether indecision has a diagnostic name. The response explains that indecision is not a separate diagnosis in the referenced diagnostic manual, but may accompany anxiety, depression, or perfectionist tendencies. It supports the reader’s decision to seek care while emphasizing that only an in-person assessment can clarify what is happening; the reader can ask their clinician about the diagnosis and treatment plan. ? Question Reader · Identity withheld For as long as I can remember I have had a major problem with “decision making”. I will constantly think about the various options in my mind, from large decisions like what career is for me or what religion should I believe in to small decisions like out of five fast food restaurants which one should I eat at or small like changing my clothes several times because the one I am trying is just not right. I started to see a Psychologist three weeks ago, twice a month, and I started to take Paxil ( which has helped with my sweating hands and anxiety, but I still suffer from “indecisions”? Please suggest what I am doing right and your opinion what wrong with me, is there a name for “indecision” like “indecision disorder”. I would appreciate a response. Thank you. Answer Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D. There is no “indecision disorder” listed in the DSM (the diagnosis book for psychiatry/psychology/social work). However, there are disorders that can be associated with indecision. Key among the possibilities would be the anxiety and depressive disorders. Since you report anxiety and sweating hands, in addition to your indecision, it would seem more likely to be in the anxiety spectrum, with perhaps also some obsessional and/or perfectionist personality stuff going on. Of course, there are also anxious “atypical” forms of depression and a variety of other possible things that might be happening. Only a qualified doctor who has examined you in person would be able to arrive at a more definitive answer to your question. I’m very glad to hear that you are working with a doctor to get some help for your indecision and associated anxiety. Working with this doctor and getting yourself on medication that reduces your symptoms (your anxiety and sweating hands) are things you are doing right. Feel free to ask your doctor what he or she has diagnosed you with. It is your right to know this information. Subject matter expert Carlos Protzel Psy.D. Integrative mental health care AuthorMark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D. Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D. is a trauma-informed psychologist with over 30 years of experience helping people navigate mental health challenges. Medical reviewerJesse Hanson, Ph.D. Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a clinical and somatic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in neuropsychology, specializing in integrative, mind-body… Related community Anxiety A welcoming place for questions and perspectives about anxiety in everyday life. Related questions Will my boyfriend eventually hit me?Will I ever feel normal?Why does my wife of 21 years have a boyfriend?","wordCount":548},"schema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization","name":"MentalHealth.com","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","publishingPrinciples":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/publishing/editorial-policy"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#website","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","name":"MentalHealth.com","inLanguage":"en-US","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"}},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Answers","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Why am I so indecisive?","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive"}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#primaryimage","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/ae57125bc19be1ee3ee5457e.webp","contentUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/ae57125bc19be1ee3ee5457e.webp","width":1000,"height":667,"encodingFormat":"image/webp","caption":"An adult considers notebooks at a bright desk."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck#person","name":"Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck","jobTitle":"Doctor","image":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/4248f6de508c9d830e0cf812.jpg","sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-dombeck-phd-530a573/"],"memberOf":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/clinical-affairs#department"},{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/publishing#department"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson","jobTitle":"Clinical Affairs Director","image":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/73305651cb93afbdebb69a9a.jpg","sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-hanson-phd-7215216/"],"memberOf":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/clinical-affairs#department"},{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/leadership#department"}]},{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#article","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive","headline":"Why am I so indecisive?","description":"A reader describes lifelong difficulty making both everyday and major decisions, alongside anxiety.","wordCount":407,"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#webpage"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"},"articleSection":"Answers","inLanguage":"en-US","author":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck#person"}],"image":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#primaryimage"},"hasPart":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#question"},{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#answer"}],"citation":[],"datePublished":"2024-06-01T00:35:13Z","dateModified":"2025-09-07T08:39:42Z"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#question","name":"Why am I so indecisive?","text":"For as long as I can remember I have had a major problem with “decision making”. I will constantly think about the various options in my mind, from large decisions like what career is for me or what religion should I believe in to small decisions like out of five fast food restaurants which one should I eat at or small like changing my clothes several times because the one I am trying is just not right. I started to see a Psychologist three weeks ago, twice a month, and I started to take Paxil ( which has helped with my sweating hands and anxiety, but I still suffer from “indecisions”? Please suggest what I am doing right and your opinion what wrong with me, is there a name for “indecision” like “indecision disorder”. I would appreciate a response. Thank you.","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#answer"},"inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#question","answerCount":1},{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#answer","text":"There is no “indecision disorder” listed in the DSM (the diagnosis book for psychiatry/psychology/social work). However, there are disorders that can be associated with indecision. Key among the possibilities would be the anxiety and depressive disorders. Since you report anxiety and sweating hands, in addition to your indecision, it would seem more likely to be in the anxiety spectrum, with perhaps also some obsessional and/or perfectionist personality stuff going on. Of course, there are also anxious “atypical” forms of depression and a variety of other possible things that might be happening. Only a qualified doctor who has examined you in person would be able to arrive at a more definitive answer to your question. I’m very glad to hear that you are working with a doctor to get some help for your indecision and associated anxiety. Working with this doctor and getting yourself on medication that reduces your symptoms (your anxiety and sweating hands) are things you are doing right. Feel free to ask your doctor what he or she has diagnosed you with. It is your right to know this information.","author":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck#person"},"inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#answer"},{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#webpage","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive","name":"Why am I so indecisive?","description":"A reader describes lifelong difficulty making both everyday and major decisions, alongside anxiety.","inLanguage":"en-US","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers#webpage"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#article"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"},"medicalAudience":{"@type":"MedicalAudience","audienceType":"General public"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#primaryimage"},"reviewedBy":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person"},"citation":[],"datePublished":"2024-06-01T00:35:13Z","dateModified":"2025-09-07T08:39:42Z","lastReviewed":"2025-09-15"}]},"representations":{"html":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive","json":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/answers/indecisive.json","jsonLd":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/answers/indecisive.ld.json"},"$schema":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/page.schema.json","images":[{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/4248f6de508c9d830e0cf812.jpg","alt":"","width":40,"height":40},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/73305651cb93afbdebb69a9a.jpg","alt":"","width":40,"height":40},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/ae57125bc19be1ee3ee5457e.webp","alt":"An adult considers notebooks at a bright desk.","width":1000,"height":667},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/8e1ee0ec187d4c3ff0be4ad3.jpg","alt":"","width":64,"height":64},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/fa402357b8ea978280a373a6.webp","alt":"","width":1200,"height":800}],"sections":[{"id":"summary-title","title":"Summary","level":2,"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#summary-title"},{"id":"question-person","title":"Question","level":2,"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#question-person"},{"id":"response-person","title":"Answer","level":2,"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#response-person"}],"references":[],"relatedReading":[],"links":[{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","label":"Home"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers","label":"Answers"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers","label":"Answers"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck","label":"Written byMark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson","label":"Medically reviewed byJesse Hanson, Ph.D."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#summary","label":"Summary"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#question","label":"Question"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#answer","label":"Answer"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/anxiety","label":"anxiety"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/depressive-disorders","label":"depressive disorders"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/carlos-protzel","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/carlos-protzel","label":"Carlos Protzel Psy.D."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck","label":"Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson","label":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/anxiety","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/anxiety","label":"Anxiety"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/will-my-boyfriend-eventually-hit-me","label":"Will my boyfriend eventually hit me?"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/will-i-ever-feel-normal","label":"Will I ever feel normal?"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/wife-of-21-years-has-a-boyfriend","label":"Why does my wife of 21 years have a boyfriend?"}],"conversation":{"status":"complete","summary":{"question":"A reader describes lifelong difficulty making both everyday and major decisions, alongside anxiety. They have recently begun psychological care and medication and wonder whether indecision has a diagnostic name.","answer":"The response explains that indecision is not a separate diagnosis in the referenced diagnostic manual, but may accompany anxiety, depression, or perfectionist tendencies. It supports the reader’s decision to seek care while emphasizing that only an in-person assessment can clarify what is happening; the reader can ask their clinician about the diagnosis and treatment plan."},"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive","sourceReviewer":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson"},"question":{"id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#question","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#question","html":"<p>For as long as I can remember I have had a major problem with “decision making”. I will constantly think about the various options in my mind, from large decisions like what career is for me or what religion should I believe in to small decisions like out of five fast food restaurants which one should I eat at or small like changing my clothes several times because the one I am trying is just not right.</p>\n<p>I started to see a Psychologist three weeks ago, twice a month, and I started to take Paxil ( which has helped with my sweating hands and anxiety, but I still suffer from “indecisions”? Please suggest what I am doing right and your opinion what wrong with me, is there a name for “indecision” like “indecision disorder”. I would appreciate a response.</p>\n<p>Thank you.</p>","text":"For as long as I can remember I have had a major problem with “decision making”. I will constantly think about the various options in my mind, from large decisions like what career is for me or what religion should I believe in to small decisions like out of five fast food restaurants which one should I eat at or small like changing my clothes several times because the one I am trying is just not right. I started to see a Psychologist three weeks ago, twice a month, and I started to take Paxil ( which has helped with my sweating hands and anxiety, but I still suffer from “indecisions”? Please suggest what I am doing right and your opinion what wrong with me, is there a name for “indecision” like “indecision disorder”. I would appreciate a response. Thank you."},"answer":{"id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#answer","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive#answer","html":"<p>There is no “indecision disorder” listed in the DSM (the diagnosis book for psychiatry/psychology/social work). However, there are disorders that can be associated with indecision. Key among the possibilities would be the anxiety and <a href=\"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/depressive-disorders\" class=\"article-inline-link\" data-context-link=\"355\">depressive disorders</a>. </p><p>Since you report anxiety and sweating hands, in addition to your indecision, it would seem more likely to be in the anxiety spectrum, with perhaps also some obsessional and/or perfectionist personality stuff going on.</p>\n<p>Of course, there are also anxious “atypical” forms of depression and a variety of other possible things that might be happening. Only a qualified doctor who has examined you in person would be able to arrive at a more definitive answer to your question.</p>\n<p>I’m very glad to hear that you are working with a doctor to get some help for your indecision and associated anxiety. Working with this doctor and getting yourself on medication that reduces your symptoms (your anxiety and sweating hands) are things you are doing right. Feel free to ask your doctor what he or she has diagnosed you with. It is your right to know this information.</p>","text":"There is no “indecision disorder” listed in the DSM (the diagnosis book for psychiatry/psychology/social work). However, there are disorders that can be associated with indecision. Key among the possibilities would be the anxiety and depressive disorders. Since you report anxiety and sweating hands, in addition to your indecision, it would seem more likely to be in the anxiety spectrum, with perhaps also some obsessional and/or perfectionist personality stuff going on. Of course, there are also anxious “atypical” forms of depression and a variety of other possible things that might be happening. Only a qualified doctor who has examined you in person would be able to arrive at a more definitive answer to your question. I’m very glad to hear that you are working with a doctor to get some help for your indecision and associated anxiety. Working with this doctor and getting yourself on medication that reduces your symptoms (your anxiety and sweating hands) are things you are doing right. Feel free to ask your doctor what he or she has diagnosed you with. It is your right to know this information.","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck#person","name":"Mark Vigil Dombeck, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/mark-dombeck"}},"summaryScope":"Editorial overview of the original question and response; original review dates apply to the source conversation."},"presentation":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-03","template":"answer-conversation","imageGeneratedAt":"2026-10-03"},"seo":{"title":"Why am I so indecisive?","description":"A reader describes lifelong difficulty making both everyday and major decisions, alongside anxiety.","canonical":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/indecisive","robots":"index,follow","socialImage":{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/f7d19272dd5d30590dddbab9.png","width":1200,"height":630,"alt":"MentalHealth.com — Answers","type":"image/png","sitemapGroup":"answers"}},"subjectMatterExpert":{"name":"Carlos Protzel, Psy.D.","url":"/people/carlos-protzel","profileId":"13151","topic":"wellbeing","focus":"Integrative mental health care","selectionBasis":"Documented expertise in the existing published profile","reviewAttribution":false},"navigation":[{"label":"Summary","href":"#summary"},{"label":"Question","href":"#question"},{"label":"Answer","href":"#answer"}],"relatedCommunity":{"community":"/community/anxiety","basis":"topic match"},"collections":[]}