What is Executive Dysfunction?
What is Executive Dysfunction?
I think to understand Executive Dysfunction, we first need to get a handle on what Executive Functioning is. There are 7 basic executive functions:
Self awareness
Inhibition
Nonverbal Working Memory (short term memory related to sensory and spatial information)
Verbal Working Memory (short term memory related to speech and language)
Emotional Regulation
Motivational Regulation
Planning and Problem Solving
These skills exist in the typical human brain in the frontal lobe, and an interruption of these processes can wreak havoc in a person’s life. Some clients report strength in some functions and weaknesses in others, they aren’t always all operating at the same level.
So, it stands to reason that Executive Dysfunction is an interruption of your ability to draw upon these 7 general functions. Maybe you’re easily distractible, or can’t seem to force yourself to focus on one thing. Maybe you’ve always been a “daydreamer,” and find yourself spacing out when you’re supposed to be focusing, such as during a school lesson, or a conversation with a friend.
Or perhaps, you know exactly what steps you need to take, but struggle with the motivation to put those plans in place. You need to shower, you believe logically that your unshowered state is furthering your state of depression… But yet, you sit and don’t actually have the ability to talk yourself into or hype yourself up to take the shower. Instead, you sit and berate yourself for this inability, because in your head, it’s so simple. Just go shower. When you are dealing with Executive dysfunction, it’s not “so simple.” It represents an overwhelming number of steps and tasks in front of you.
This is where external sources of regulation can help. It’s important to note that Executive dysfunction is NOT a mental health diagnosis and I am not a therapist. Rather, in cases of executive dysfunction, I function as a partner - an accountability partner, a sounding board, and a source of motivation and regulation. Executive dysfunction is commonly seen as a component of major depression and people who have anxiety disorders. It is also commonly present in people who have ADHD. It is common, and you are not broken.
Executive Dysfunction is NOT:
· Laziness
· An indication of intelligence or lack thereof
· Related to your competency or value as a human
· A measure of your moral compass
· Uncommon
An Article by Megan Griffith lists 5 general coping strategies for dealing with Executive Dysfunction. They are:
1. Talk your way through tasks out loud.
2. Identify where to start.
3. Break the tasks into steps.
4. Plan ahead, if possible.
5. Get encouragement from others.
You can see from this list how coaching can be useful in developing stronger executive functioning skills to escape the negative self-talk that comes along with it, and have greater satisfaction overall. Talking through tasks is super helpful, letting you flesh out what the roadblock is, as well as gaining perspective and insight into how to get around it.
A good executive function coach can help you identify both where to start, and what steps the tasks will take to get accomplished. S/he can help you to develop a plan that works at your pace to meet your goals, and provide bundles of encouragement along the way!
ADDitude Magazine published a short little quiz to help you determine whether or not you think you might be dealing with some executive dysfunctioning problems.
Additionally, Beyondbooksmart.com published an article with tips from coaches on how to develop strategies for overcoming Executive Dysfunction.
This article from Healthline is also an excellent resource for understanding more about how Executive dysfunction impacts Organization and Regulation.
Whether or not you have struggles in this area, I believe you are capable, valuable, and can set and smash any goal you want. I believe in you!
