Why Does OCD Make Decisions So Difficult?
OCD is fueled by doubt and the need for certainty. People with OCD often feel a strong urge to make the “perfect” decision or avoid making the “wrong” one—leading to paralysis, endless second-guessing, and fear of regret.
Some common decision-related OCD fears include:
- “What if I make the wrong choice and regret it forever?”
- “What if I pick this option and something bad happens?”
- “I need to feel 100% sure before deciding.”
- “I have to keep thinking about this until I figure it out completely.”
The more someone with OCD tries to feel certain, the more elusive certainty becomes. This creates an exhausting loop where the pressure to make a perfect decision, prevents any decision at all.
Common OCD Decision-Making Struggles
- Overanalyzing choices — Spending hours researching, weighing pros and cons, or seeking reassurance before committing.
- Avoiding decisions altogether — Postponing or refusing to choose out of fear of making a mistake.
- Relying on compulsions — Needing rituals, numbers, or specific actions before making a decision.
- Seeking excessive reassurance — Asking others for validation or approval before deciding.
Why Avoiding Decisions Only Feeds OCD
Many people with OCD believe that if they just think long enough, they’ll eventually feel “sure”. But OCD never provides the certainty it demands—instead, the more someone overthinks a decision, the more doubt grows.
Avoiding decisions might bring short-term relief, but in the long run, it makes the fear even worse. The brain learns that decisions = anxiety, reinforcing the idea that choices must be “perfect” or “completely safe” before they can be made.
The Path to Freedom from Decision Paralysis
OCD can make choices feel overwhelming, but decision-making doesn’t have to be a battle. Treatment—especially Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)—helps people learn to sit with uncertainty, make decisions without endless analyzing, and break free from the cycle of overthinking.
If OCD is making everyday choices feel impossible, know that you’re not alone. With the right support, it’s possible to take back control—one decision at a time.
