Decision Fatigue/dih-SI-zhun fuh-TEE-g/
Reduced decision quality and increased avoidance after many choices or prolonged demands.
Andy says:
Like a battery that drains each time you pick between tabs, tasks, or snacks. Defaults help the battery last.
Detailed Explanation
Frequent choices, uncertainty, or high stakes consume cognitive resources (working memory, inhibition). Symptoms: procrastination, choosing the default, irritability, or impulse decisions. Reducing choice load protects bandwidth.
Community Context
Common in ADHD/autism where executive load and context switching are already high. Routines and environment design (fewer, better choices) help.
Quick Tips
- Pre‑decide: morning/evening routines, go‑to options for clothing and meals
- Limit menus to 2–3 good options; use checklists
- Decide once for recurring choices (subscriptions, templates)
Do / Don't
- Do: batch similar decisions; schedule decisions for high‑energy windows
- Do: use defaults and if‑then rules
- Don't: force important choices late in the day
Scientific Context
Mixed findings on mechanisms, but consistent practical benefit from reducing micro‑decisions and using defaults.
Language Notes
Related to executive dysfunction and context switching.
Related Terms
Executive Dysfunction
Difficulties with a set of mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control.
Working Memory
The mental workspace that holds and manipulates information for short periods (seconds to minutes) to guide actions.
Time Blindness
Time blindness is the difficulty sensing how much time has passed or accurately estimating how long tasks will take, making it hard to manage schedules and deadlines.
Context Switching
The performance and energy cost of rapidly changing tasks, tools, or mental sets.
Accommodations
Changes to the environment, tools, timing, or expectations that remove barriers so a person can participate on an equal basis.
Sources
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