My trials and travails with executive function disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

The Chris Abraham Show

Executive dysfunction is a term used to describe the range of cognitive, behavioral, and emotional difficulties which often occur as a result of another disorder or a traumatic brain injury. Individuals with executive dysfunction struggle with planning, problem-solving, organization, and time management.

People with executive function issues may have the following symptoms:

• trouble managing emotions or impulses.
• problems with starting, organizing, planning, or completing tasks.
• trouble listening or paying attention.
• short-term memory issues.
• inability to multitask or balance tasks.
• socially inappropriate behavior.

Common signs and symptoms of EFD in adults include:

• Forgetting to complete tasks
• Inability to keep track of personal items like keys and cell phones
• Trouble following conversations
• Losing train of thought
• Difficulty remembering steps in a multi-step processes
• Inability to remember names
• Often late
• Problems breaking big projects into steps
• Trouble meeting deadlines
• Unable to multitask
• Difficulty remembering abbreviations and acronyms

People may experience:

Behavioral: aggression, excitability, fidgeting, hyperactivity, impulsivity, irritability, lack of restraint, or persistent repetition of words or actions

Cognitive: absent-mindedness, difficulty focusing, forgetfulness, problem paying attention, or short attention span

Mood: anger, anxiety, boredom, excitement, or mood swings

Also common: depression or learning disability

These, and other common manifestations of EFD may be apparent at home:

• You have something you want to ask your friend, but she is on the phone and you must wait a few minutes before asking. By the time she is finished, you completely forget what you wanted to ask.
• When you are talking with a friend, you find it difficult to follow the conversation, forgetting what your friend said just moments before.
• When you are completing a task with several steps, such as getting the trash, taking it outside, and then putting a new bag in the trash can, you usually forget the last step.
• When you read something, you usually end up going back to re-read the prior section because you can’t remember it.
• You constantly misplace your cell phone. You feel like you waste time every day looking for your phone and other misplaced items like keys or glasses.
• You have difficulty finding a work-life balance. When you try to take on personal activities, it’s hard to figure out how much time to spend on what.

Symptoms of Executive Dysfunction at Work

Adderall can help increase your ability to pay attention, stay focused on an activity, and control behavior problems. It may also help you to organize your tasks and improve listening skills.This drug is also used to treat a certain sleeping disorder (narcolepsy) to help you stay awake during the day.

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