Aboulomania
Aboulomania (from Greek a–, meaning 'without', and boulē, meaning 'will')[1] is a mental disorder in which the patient displays pathological indecisiveness.[2][3] It is typically associated with anxiety, stress, depression, and mental anguish, and can severely affect one's ability to function socially. Although many people suffer from indecision, it is rarely to the extent of obsession.[4] The part of the brain that is tied to making rational choices, the prefrontal cortex, can hold several pieces of information at any given time.[4] This may quickly overwhelm somebody when trying to make decisions, regardless of the importance of that decision. They come up with reasons that their decisions will turn out badly, causing them to over-analyze every situation critically in a classic case of paralysis by analysis. Lack of information, valuation difficulty, and outcome uncertainty can become an obsession.[5]
References
- "aboulia". The New Oxford American Dictionary (2nd ed.).
- Chrisomalis, Stephen (2007). "Manias and Obsessions". The Phronistery.
- Rawat, P.S. (2002). Midline Medical History. Jane Publishers. p. 11. ISBN 9788131903537.
- 2010, Jennifer Byrne. "How to Overcome Indecision". Livestrong.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
- Rassin, Eric. "A psychological theory of indecisiveness". Netherlands Journal of Psychology. 63 (1): 1–11. doi:10.1007/BF03061056.
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