Executive Dysfunction-I don't know what it means

Post Reply New Topic

I looked it up, but everything seems to explain it in "doctor-speak". I want to be in the loop because everyone else here seems to know what it means. So what is it?

I don't know what it means either, and I'd like an explanation in layman's terms as well.

Executive function:

Good short term memory
Able to keep focus
Easily can shift attention
Juggling different tasks at once
Plan and be able to reach long term goals
Emotional control

Executive dysfunction is basically the opposite.

Chronic procrastination and impatience to achieve goals is a part of it. Disliking change and not being able to do more than one thing at a time. Lack of control over emotions. Also poor social skills may fall into this category too. I read awhile ago that the ability to detect sarcasm came from executive function. Perhaps the way we learn (needing to be shown how to do things) may be a part of executive dysfunction too.

Did what I say help?

I've always thought of a business person when hearing the term, executive. A business person must be good at planning and scheduling and switch tasks with ease.

I don't know what good planning means. How could anyone have difficulty with something like planning? First you do this at this time then you do that.

I know what I need to do with multi-step tasks, but when it comes time to do it, I have difficulty separating each step out and perceive the task as an overwhelming blob of undifferentiated "task." I have difficulty just organizing the steps in an appropriate order if I do differentiate them, and can get easily sidetracked if I attempt to start.

I have to stop and list the steps I need to take and take each step individually. Preferably each step is as simple and straightforward as possible, or I'll get easily sidetracked by distractions. Well, I still can, but it reduces the chance.

A general to-do list also helps (like pensieve said). I've also set alerts on my computer to remind me to do things I have to do, which helps a lot.

Planning seems to be a pretty easy concept to me, but actually committing to and executing plans is far more difficult than it should be. My wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey sense also makes it difficult for me to deal with planning into the future, and I end up doing things that have immediate consequences and do not always plan well for future consequences (like I may spend $50 on a video game today without consideration for the things I needed more that I could have purchased instead).

I think this is executive dysfunction at work.

Yeah, my time management is up to no good. I used to cope with it by always having a watch and trying to make sure clocks were always in line of sight when I didn't have one. Well, I still do, but I have my computer and a clock radio in my line of sight and I don't have to deal with public transportation so much anymore. I often forget the date and my favorite days to confuse for each other are Monday and Friday, and I spent much of today thinking it was Tuesday. My username is the one of the Norse Norns, or fates. "Verdandi" represents the present, because the past (Urd) and future (Skuld) are a bit abstract for me at times.

My spending is mostly under control (but I spend too much too) but I've gone through epic amounts of money in the past without even thinking about it.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY_Ry8J_jdw[/youtube]

I've never heard a better description of my time sense.

I am textbook on this. Time is my greatest enemy and I am scared of making to-do lists or checking my bank account in case it depresses me. I am extremely impulsive. I've tried to deal with all this but in all honesty, being any different bores me. The thought of being organised and on time bores me despite it being a regular New Year's resolution. I've also found that the easier a task is the less likely it is going to be done. I think i must get an adrenalin buzz from running late or having a large task ahead of me despite it being stressful. I am ridiculously easily distracted.
It might simply be my personality but (after reading up a little) I think there might be a slight ADHD link. These things I need to find out

Yeah, I've had a problem with understanding "executive dysfunctio" even after reading about it on this site.

pensieve wrote~

pensieve wrote~