Most people have the occasional bad day, where they struggle to think clearly or find it hard to pay attention to their work. For some individuals, however, those difficulties are a day-to-day thing. If a person has problems with concentration, memory and impulse control, it could be due to an issue known as executive dysfunction.
This article explores what executive dysfunction disorder is, who’s affected by it and how those people can adapt to the challenges they face.
What Is Executive Dysfunction?
Executive dysfunction isn’t a specific condition so much as a set of symptoms that make it hard for a person to control how they think, feel and act. People with executive dysfunction may find it hard to stay organized, might overfocus on one thing or struggle to focus on the task at hand. They might also find it hard to regulate their emotions.
Executive dysfunction is common in people who’ve been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder or depression. In one study of university students, 28.9% of students demonstrated strong cognitive dysfunction symptoms, and a further 25.42% demonstrated moderate symptoms. This means more than half of the students surveyed required some level of professional help with their symptoms.
How It Affects Daily Tasks, Focus and Organization
Executive function difficulties can impact several areas of a person’s life and may present as:
- Struggling to focus during lectures at university
- Finding driving difficult because you can’t process lots of information at the same time
- Spacing out during meetings or conversations
- Finding it hard to start a task because it looks difficult
- Difficulty being on time for things
- Frequently losing items because you forgot to put them away
- Making bad decisions because of a lack of impulse control
While most people will sometimes have issues with the above, those with executive dysfunction experience several of these problems on a daily basis. Executive dysfunction isn’t laziness or a lack of caring; it’s a set of symptoms caused by an issue with how the brain works. Because of this, it requires a different approach to managing it.
Conditions Commonly Linked to Executive Dysfunction
Executive dysfunction can be linked to several common conditions, including:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- ADHD
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Schizophrenia
It can also be brought about by damage to certain areas of the brain, which could be caused by:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Brain tumors
- Hypoxia
- Dementia
- Epilepsy
- Head injuries
- Strokes
- Multiple sclerosis
Boxers, MMA fighters and other athletes who suffer repeated head traumas may be at risk of developing executive dysfunction in later life. Some severe illnesses can also lead to executive dysfunction.
Recognizing the Signs in Yourself or Others
Diagnosing executive dysfunction disorder isn’t easy, and it’s not something you can do at home. However, if you notice someone you care for struggling with day-to-day tasks or having significantly changed behavior, it’s a good idea to suggest they get professional help.
If you find yourself experiencing brain fog, forgetting things you’d normally find easy to remember or feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks, talk to your primary care physician for assistance. If the symptoms are new and also associated with a low mood or mood swings, other mental health challenges may be at play that are easily treatable.
Strategies and Tools for Managing Executive Challenges
Because the causes of executive dysfunction are so varied, management approaches also vary. If someone has an underlying medical condition such as ADHD, depression or schizophrenia, this condition might be managed with stimulants, antidepressants or antipsychotics.
Another common treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy. This can be delivered in conjunction with medication or as the sole treatment. CBT can help people recognize the issues they’re struggling with and find ways to address procrastination or difficulties with impulse control.
Those who have only mild issues with executive dysfunction might benefit from simpler coping strategies, such as:
- Breaking down large tasks into smaller, less intimidating ones
- Taking advantage of technology to remind them to do things/reduce their mental load
- Building routines so they have fewer things to remember
Not everyone with executive dysfunction benefits from these strategies. Executive dysfunction signifies a problem with the way the brain processes information, not simple forgetfulness or laziness. Many people with executive dysfunction feel desperate to start a task or address a challenge but feel like their brains are “stuck” in a thought pattern they can’t escape.
When to Seek Professional Help
Feeling tired or having brain fog for a day or two can be normal if you are stressed or overworked or have been unwell. However, if you have been very ill, have had a concussion or feel like your symptoms are disrupting your ability to lead your normal life, it’s important to seek professional medical advice.
The same applies to people you care for. In children, signs of executive dysfunction could be an indication of an underlying condition, such as autism spectrum disorder or ADHD. In older adults, such symptoms could be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or a recent stroke, all of which require treatment.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all cure for executive dysfunction, strategies can be used to manage it. Getting a diagnosis and advice from a health care professional is the first step in taking control of the disorder.
Get Help Today
At Sun Health Center, we provide a variety of treatments to support people struggling with mental health disorders, traumatic injuries and other brain-related issues. Our brain optimization therapies and treatments may help people feel more alert, improve their cognitive function and restore healthy brain functioning.
If you’re struggling with executive dysfunction or cognitive decline, contact Sun Health Center today to learn more about our neurotherapy, medication-assisted treatments and teletherapy options. We’re here to help.
