Not only is it okay to postpone decisions when you are distressed, it’s likely a good idea. When you are very distressed, overwhelmed, triggered, exhausted, or dissociated, you are likely experiencing strong emotions or you are numb and shut down. It can be harder to think clearly, consider options, remember information, or judge risk accurately in either case. Decisions made during great distress are often more reactive and less balanced. You are more likely to regret them later on when you are thinking more clearly and can see more options.
Delaying a decision when you are distressed is not the same as avoidance. Avoidance would be trying to escape ever making the decision. Delay is simply waiting until you are in less distress and better able to think through your options. Delaying a decision under these circumstances is making it more likely that you will make the best decision for yourself.
This page is part of the Why Slowing Down Can Help Trauma Healing Move Forward section of the CommuniDID site, which explains how respecting limits, pacing emotional work, and reducing demand can protect long-term healing capacity.
Explore more:
- Questions about Stabilizing and Slowing Down to Heal Trauma
- Increasing predictability can help reduce strain on a dissociative system. You can explore simple ways to build predictability here: Creating Predictability for Your Dissociative System.
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