Executive Function Disorder

Does anybody else have this?

I have been looking at possible reasons as to why I struggle so much with day to day life, or get stressed very easily over such minor, insignificant things.

Found this table today that describes the most common issues, and found I struggle with at least 10 out of the 12 things:

Executive Function

Real World Example

Task Initiation

Displays procrastination – puts off minor household tasks such as changing lights or doing the dishes after dinner

Planning

Cannot explain priorities and goals – loses out on opportunities such as going to a favorite restaurant due to not making reservations or planning ahead

Organization

Is always looking for something – loses money, keys, wallet, or cell phone on a regular basis

Time Management

Works very slowly – underestimates how much time it will take to complete tasks such as going food shopping or making dinner

Flexibility

Experiences problems with changes in routine and schedule – becomes overly upset when a meeting or plans are changed

Metacognition

Cannot explain how she intends to approach or solve a problem – often feels that things that happen to her are outside of her control

Response Inhibition

Can be impulsive – drinks or gambles too much without considering the impact

Regulation of Affect

Gets angry or upset easily – goes into a rage or angry display in response to a perceived criticism

Social Awareness

Is unaware of other people’s feelings – unknowingly stands too close in conversations or otherwise makes them uncomfortable

Sustained Attention

Starts one thing after another without finishing them or reads a book without paying attention to the content and needs to reread it

Goal-Directed Persistence

Is bored by long-term tasks – starts cleaning the garage or basement and gives up after an hour

Working Memory

Is absent-minded – often forgets items she wants when food shopping

If you have EFD, or agree with a lot of the points above, please can you let me know what you use to cope with different day to day issues.

Thanks

Parents
  • I have OCD - at least that was what I have been treated for for the last 7 years, but I got my autism diagnosis last week, so now I'm indeed beginning to think that at least some of the OCD symptoms may due to autism.

    I have OCD in the form of intrusive thoughts mainly. Well, that is the only really troubling bit of it. But life has been extremely difficult at times because of this. Any compulsions I have are not linked to the thoughts these days (which would be a common OCD pattern)  and are not too troubling any more - things like sorting stuff and things being in the right place. Now I kind of veer from one extreme to another with tidyness - mainly chaos -  as I mentioned above.

    Just sharing this in case anyone else is suffering from OCD too. It's trivialised in the media but it can be very dark. There is hope though and CBT did help me.

Reply
  • I have OCD - at least that was what I have been treated for for the last 7 years, but I got my autism diagnosis last week, so now I'm indeed beginning to think that at least some of the OCD symptoms may due to autism.

    I have OCD in the form of intrusive thoughts mainly. Well, that is the only really troubling bit of it. But life has been extremely difficult at times because of this. Any compulsions I have are not linked to the thoughts these days (which would be a common OCD pattern)  and are not too troubling any more - things like sorting stuff and things being in the right place. Now I kind of veer from one extreme to another with tidyness - mainly chaos -  as I mentioned above.

    Just sharing this in case anyone else is suffering from OCD too. It's trivialised in the media but it can be very dark. There is hope though and CBT did help me.

Children
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