Executive Function almost non existent

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I feel almost mentally paralyzed when it comes to getting things done through the day. I can't "snap" out of it. People say to make lists to help with getting things done....but doesn't it even take a small amount of executive function to make a list and carry it through? I can make a list...but I can't trust myself to see it through. I have no executive functioning skills and I feel horrible about it...constantly ashamed of myself and how far behind I am. It's like I'm mentally paralyzed.

It could be a sign of depression/anxiety. How long term has it been?

I've been this way all my life. School was horrible because I could never organize myself and was constantly missing/losing things. As far as anxiety and depression....I have been extremely depressed recently and that has made it worse.

I have issues with executive functioning as well. The way to get better is to make a habit of doing things to improve the executive functioning (like scheduling) but adding one element at a time.

I used to have a prescription for Ritalin to help my ADHD, although I stopped it because it had weird side effects (I couldn't tell when I had eaten too much).

I'm normally quite anti-drugs, but maybe a doctor could prescribe something to help? From what I've read though, while ADHD medications can help with executive function a bit through enhanced focus, etc, they still can't help that much, but can perhaps help enough for things like scheduling to become more effective?

Worth researching at least... (I'm in no way qualified to give advice on this).

I second this. But it's really hard to stick with a schedule. I have tried to make myself a schedule and plans multiple times but can never seem to stay with it. Just the act of forming a schedule is exhausting. My husband made a schedule for me; I always stopped him before because I didn't want someone else telling me what to do, but this has all been going on forever with no end in sight. It was actually a relief this time. I stuck with it off and on for nearly two weeks with a lot of difficulty before completely dropping it.

One thing I tried today was I sat down and wrote three things to do. They were put away laundry and wash more, fold the couch blankets and stack up the library books. The kids helped so I kind of cheated . But it might help to try this. Do the three things you listed, then call it a day or think of three more?

Definitely agree. This helps me to get things done. However, if I am very overloaded even a schedule that previously worked doesn't help. I was recently extremely overloaded due to a work situation. The situation has now changed and I am once again building a schedule, adding back a few things at a time. So far this method, in combination with much less overload, is working. It is not a strict schedule with specific times blocked off on a calendar...that kind of schedule would be difficult for me to plan and stick to. Each thing I add becomes habit and naturally falls into my daily routine. Also to avoid being overwhelmed, I add things back in gradually, so that I am not trying to adapt to doing multiple new tasks at the same time.

I can relate to the OP completely. I wouldn't dare start a college course in my current state of mind. I can manage externally-arranged things, e.g. attending appointments (though even there I have trouble keeping track of the dates sometimes...), but if I made a to-do list I doubt I'd carry any of it through.

Depression certainly doesn't help matters either.

I'm sorry I can't give more practical advice, topic creator. My strategy - if you can call it anything that ambitious - is to concentrate on a single goal and discard anything else that isn't strictly necessary. My current goal is to move out of home: I'm not even going to think of doing anything else, like volunteer work, joining a gym, etc., until that's sorted. I do still have to eat and keep clean though.

Basically I'm in survival mode at the moment. I'm numb and exhausted every day. But hopefully things will improve and my debilitating depression will lift. I wish the same for you as well, topic creator.

It is common in ADHD and Autism