Megan Foreman, MSN, RN, FNP-C

Potential

Potential. Life is full of it and so are you! But what happens when you or someone you love aren’t living up to their full potential? You know they’re smart, capable, and talented, but they can never quite seem to get it together enough to harness their potential so they can fully express everything they’re capable of. How frustrating for anyone who has this experience.

This experience – of never quite being able to put everything together – might be the result of an executive functioning disorder or executive dysfunction.

What Is Executive Dysfunction?

Executive dysfunction refers to the difficulty in managing cognitive processes that help us plan, organize, focus, regulate emotions, and complete tasks. It affects one’s ability to execute everyday tasks effectively, creating challenges in both personal and professional spheres. Executive dysfunction is often associated with neurodevelopmental and mental health conditions, but it can occur independently as well. People with executive dysfunction might feel as though they’re in a constant state of mental disorganization.

Symptoms of Executive Dysfunction

Executive dysfunction will look a little different for everyone, but some common symptoms are:

• Time management including consistently leaving projects to the last minute
• The inability to start or complete tasks even when they’re important
• Trouble breaking down large projects into manageable steps
• Difficulty identifying which tasks are most important or urgent
• Making hasty decisions without thinking through the consequences
• Difficulty managing frustration or other strong emotions

All of these create a sense of frustration and even failure, but they may be part of another disorder. A variety of conditions can cause executive functioning issues, including:

• ADHD
• Addiction to alcohol or other substances
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Depression
• Chronic stress
• Sleep disorders
• Learning challenges including dyslexia or dysgraphia
• Autoimmune disorders
• Traumatic brain injury

There are numerous potential causes for executive dysfunction, including some that are often overlooked such as nutritional deficiencies. Evidence also suggests that there’s a genetic component to executive functioning difficulties. Whatever the cause, management of executive dysfunction may require a multi-pronged approach.

How To Manage Executive Dysfunction

As frustrating as it can be to live with executive functioning difficulties, there is hope. It can be managed employing a variety of tools. You should initially have a physical to address any underlying medical conditions that can contribute to executive function. After you’ve addressed the impact that nutritional deficiencies or other medical concerns have, you can develop a full plan to address executive dysfunction. Some effective management strategies are:

• Breaking down larger tasks into small, manageable steps
• Use calendars and alarms to remind you of meetings, due dates, and to help you keep track of time
• Ask for help if you need it
• Use CBT (cognitive behavioral techniques) learned in therapy to help you refocus
• Prioritize sleep
• Use mindfulness techniques such as meditation to help you focus

Each of these can play an important role in managing executive dysfunction. However, many people with executive functioning issues benefit greatly from medication.

Lyons Health & Wellness

If you’re in Lyons, CO and the surrounding areas, Lyons Health & Wellness, can help you manage executive dysfunction. We can help you address nutritional deficiencies and find lifestyle changes that help. We can also prescribe medication to help executive functioning challenges. We’ll work with you to help find the most effective medication and dosage for you so you can manage your executive functioning issues and embrace your full potential. Contact us for more information.

Disclaimer: The information contained here was not written by a medical doctor and is intended for informational purposes only. This is not a substitute for medical advice.