By: Kelsey Wooten, LPC
The phrase “I saw this Tiktok…” comes up in my office a lot. Executive dysfunction (or ADHD or neurodiversity) is a buzzword on the internet but what is it really?
What is it?
Executive function in the brain has to do with higher level thinking and has three main parts – working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition or self-control.
Seven different categories of brain function (according to ADDIitude magazine):
1. Self-Awareness: being aware of one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
2. Self-Restraint: monitoring and controlling one’s self (ex: behavior and focus)
3. Non-Verbal Working Memory: holding things or visualizing something in your short term memory
4. Verbal Working Memory: words, letters, numbers, and nameable objects in your short term memory
5. Emotional: awareness, understanding, and regulation of emotion
6. Self-Motivation: having internal motivation and being able to complete tasks
7. Planning and Problem Solving: planning, goal setting or identifying a problem, finding a solution and carrying it out
According to The Cleveland Clinic executive dysfunction is “a symptom that happens with conditions (both genetic and environmental) that disrupt your brain’s ability to control thoughts, emotions and behavior.” In short, executive dysfunction is not a choice but a neurological difference in someone’s brain that can make daily tasks challenging.
Signs and symptoms
According to ADDititude mag “Executive functions begin developing by age two, and are fully developed by age 30. People with ADHD often are 30 to 40 percent delayed in development, which makes them more likely to act motivated by short-term rather than longer-term goals.” These skills are learned over time and built on top of one another. Many times ADHD or executive dysfunction is first noticed in childhood, often in the school setting. However, it is not always caught then, and for many adults it’s new information when they get a diagnosis.
Signs of executive dysfunction:
Trouble managing time or time blindness
Often distracted by small things
Inability to complete tasks
Trouble completing goals
Challenges adjusting to change
Forgetting dates or commitments
Trouble keeping space or items organized
Challenges with object permanence or organization
Emotional outbursts
Overstimulation
Repetitive body movements or sounds
A person with ADHD or executive dysfunction can struggle with hyperactivity, inattentiveness or both
Possible causes of executive dysfunction (according to the Cleveland Clinic):
Substance use
Neurodivergence (adhd, autism)
Depression
Other mental health disorders
Brain damage and diseases
When to seek medical help
Is an area(s) of your life becoming unmanageable (work, school, relationships)?
Have you noticed a change in how well you are keeping with tasks and responsibilities?
Noticed a change in health, emotional well-being or overall quality of life?
Having more conflict with others?
Is your environment unmanageable?
Remember: You need a professional diagnosis in order to get accommodations for work or school. While you may see a tiktok or post about ADHD and think “that’s me” seek a professional to help identify the root cause of what is going on. The challenge with mental health is that we are learning how to cope and manage the brains and bodies we have. While it is not our fault it is our responsibility to be the best versions of ourselves we can be.
How to cope and improve
Identify where are you struggling
Identify your supports
Reminders / alarms/ post-its/ lists
Body double or do things with others
Goblin tools / app and website
Emotional regulation skills
Join a group
Get into counseling
If you or someone you know is struggling, talking to a therapist is a helpful start toward a better understanding and management of executive dysfunction. Call or email today to get the intake process started!
Resources used for this article:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/23224-executive-dysfunction