Do you also have difficulty starting work, planning, and paying attention? Let's talk about Executive Function Disorder!

Have you ever felt like this? You want to start a big project, but you can't figure out where to start. While you're working on it, your mind suddenly wanders off to other places. You forget even the smallest things. Managing your time has become a nightmare. Because of these things, you may be constantly frustrated and angry. This is not just boredom or confusion, but perhaps a weakness in a special ability in your brain.

What is this Executive Function?

Simply put, 'Executive Function' is like the 'Manager' in our brain . Just like a manager in an office plans tasks, executes them, and makes sure everything goes smoothly, this ability in our brain also helps us get things done. This ability is controlled by the front part of our brain, which is called the 'Frontal Lobe' .

The main things this 'manager' helps us with are:

• Manage time ( time management )
• Paying attention
• Planning and organizing
• Remembering important details
• Do several things at the same time (Multitasking)
• Don't do what you feel like doing, behave appropriately (Impulse control)

When this ability doesn't work properly, we call it executive dysfunction . It makes it difficult for us to control our behavior. This can have a big impact on work, school, daily activities, and even our relationships.

The three main skills of the Executive Function

This 'management' ability consists of three main skills.

1. Working Memory: This is like a little notepad in your brain. It helps you remember information you need to do your daily tasks. Imagine you are cooking a meal. This working memory is used to remember things like the order in which you need to add each ingredient and how long it needs to cook. When this memory is weak, you often forget things, can't find where you put your items, and can't finish a task you started.

2. Cognitive Flexibility : This refers to the ability to quickly adapt to changing situations. This ability helps you switch from one task to another easily, and when an unexpected problem arises, you can solve it in a different way without panicking. When this is lacking, it can be very difficult to adjust to changes in plans, and it takes a long time to get used to something new.

3. Inhibition Control: This is the 'brake' in our brain. This ability helps us to avoid saying everything that comes to mind and doing everything that we want to do. It also helps us to focus on one task without thinking about unnecessary things. When this control is reduced, we cannot control what we say, we get angry quickly, and our attention is easily distracted.

What are the symptoms of Executive Dysfunction?

A person with this condition can exhibit a variety of symptoms. These are not just one-offs, but long-term problems that affect daily life.

Check the table below to see if you also have these characteristics.

What are the reasons for this?

The exact cause of executive dysfunction is not yet known, but experts believe that it may be linked to certain diseases and other conditions.

Some of them are:

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Depression
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Substance abuse
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder ( OCD )
• Alzheimer's disease
• Head injuries
• Brain tumors
• Stroke
• Epilepsy
• Dementia
• Damage caused by lack of oxygen to the brain (Cerebral hypoxia)
• Infections such as meningitis

Sometimes this condition can be genetic .

How do you recognize this?

There is no specific test to diagnose this. However, there are special questionnaires and tests that can measure your executive function abilities. Only your doctor can accurately diagnose the condition by doing these.

Your doctor will probably ask you and your loved ones questions. If there is a suspicion of another condition, such as ADHD or OCD, they may also order specific tests. They may also order blood tests, CT scans, or MRI scans to rule out other conditions.

Can you manage the situation?

Yes, it definitely can. There is no single solution for this. Treatment options vary depending on your symptoms and the cause. This condition can be managed very successfully with a combination of medications, therapies, and lifestyle changes.

Here are some small things you can do yourself:

• Take it one step at a time: If you have a big task, break it down into smaller, more manageable parts. Complete one part at a time.
• Use visual aids: Use things like reminders, checklists, calendars, post-it notes, etc. Calendar and reminder apps on your phone can help a lot with this.
• Make a schedule: Write down the things you need to do for the day and week, make a schedule, and check it regularly.
• Make a place for everything: Create specific places to put things. Make a habit of always keeping things like your keys, purse, and phone in the same place. This can greatly reduce the risk of losing things.
• Remove unnecessary things: Reduce unnecessary items in places like your work area and room and keep them organized. It's hard to stay focused in a cluttered environment.

Medical treatment and therapeutic methods

Your doctor will determine the most appropriate treatment based on the cause of this condition.

• Medication: If this problem is caused by a condition such as ADHD or depression, medication may be prescribed for it.
• Therapy:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This helps you change your thought patterns and behaviors. You identify problematic thoughts and train yourself to deal with them.
• Occupational Therapy: This therapy helps develop the skills needed to perform daily tasks more easily. You can learn practical things like how to make lists and how to break down large tasks into smaller parts.
• Coaching: You can improve your planning and implementation skills by working with a coach who is specifically trained for these types of problems.

If you have these problems, don't be ashamed or embarrassed. The first step is to see a trusted doctor and talk about your symptoms. From there, you will definitely get the guidance and support you need to take back control of your life.