Executive Dysfunction - Brain Health - HealthSurgeon - Healthy Living and Fitness

Executive function is the process in the brain that allows you to pay attention, stay on task, multitask, or regulate your emotions. In a normal executive function process your brain is able to analyze a problem, plan on how to solve it, organize the plan in your mind, develop a timeline to completion, adjust when needed, and complete the task at hand.

There are main executive functions and they are working memory or what you are doing right at this very moment. Cognitive flexibility which is your ability to move or shift from one topic to the next. Inhibition control is how you manage your thoughts, emotions, and actions. There are two parts to inhibition control. They are behavioral control which is stopping yourself from doing something you think you shouldn’t do and interference control which is focusing on what needs your attention without getting distracted. Higher levels of executive functions are planning, reasoning, and problem solving. Executive function skills fall within two main categories. Organization which is the ability to pay attention to details, plan, strategize, solve problems, and think abstractly. The second is regulation which is the ability to regulate behavior, emotions, monitor thoughts, reason and make decisions, manage time, and control impulses.

When you have executive dysfunction is a term that explains faults or weaknesses in the cognitive process that organizes thoughts and activities, prioritizes tasks, manages time efficiency, and makes decisions. Some people can have executive dysfunction in one or more areas. When there is executive dysfunction the normal process can be thrown off completely stopping someone from being able to complete a task.

Signs

Signs that you may struggle with executive dysfunction can range from just one area of skills to many different areas. You may misplace papers or homework regularly. It can be hard to manage time, multitask, or stick to a schedule. You may forget tasks or appointments, even ones that are important. You may be unmotivated or it may be challenging for you to start new tasks. You may lose or misplace items often. It can be hard for you to keep your office, desk, locker, room, or home organized. It can be hard for you to navigate through failures or challenges. You may have a hard time controlling your impulses, such as speaking before you think.

Diagnosis

Executive dysfunction is not an official medical condition. Therefore you cannot diagnose this on your own. Medical professionals will most likely look for an underlying condition that may be causing the dysfunction. Executive dysfunction is not always caused by an underlying health condition. It can be caused by an irregular or slower development in the brain. Imbalances in certain neurotransmitters, such as noradrenaline, dopamine, or serotonin can also be a cause. Medical conditions that can cause executive dysfunction are ADHD, conduct disorder, depression, schizophrenia, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, learning disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety disorders, chronic stress, sleep disorders, or OCD.

When working with a medical professional to see if you have executive dysfunction they may have you take a few different tests or scales. One of them being the Conners comprehensive behavior rating scale which is a multiple choice test that helps to diagnose ADHD. Barkley deficits in executive function scale for adults is a scale done to check your executive function abilities. Comprehensive executive function inventory is a scale that checks your strengths and weaknesses. Stroopcolor and word test is a test to check your automatic responses or impulses.

Treatment

Treatment usually starts with treating any underlying condition that may be hindering your executive function. This can include medications. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which is a form of talk therapy to help you be able to manage thoughts better, learn new skills to manage emotions, and help you learn how to establish routines. Organizational coaching can help you learn to time manage, plan, and organize.

It is important to find a way to design your environment in a way that works for you. Whether that is using visual notes like sticky notes, a planner, a to do list, a daily task list, or using time management apps on your phone. Breakdown big tasks into smaller ones so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Schedule breaks within your day. Look at your sleep, make sure you are getting enough good quality sleep at night. If you need it, find a way to include a motivational reward system for completing tasks. When you need it, ask for help from someone else. Having someone help you or help you break down your daily tasks can be beneficial especially when first implementing new routines.