What causes executive dysfunction


What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment

Overview

Executive dysfunction can affect many parts of your life, including work, social interactions and more.

What is executive dysfunction?

Executive dysfunction is a behavioral symptom that disrupts a person’s ability to manage their own thoughts, emotions and actions. It’s most common with certain mental health conditions, especially addictions, behavioral disorders, brain development disorders and mood disorders.

What are executive functions?

To better understand what executive dysfunction is, it helps to know more about executive functions. The main executive functions are:

  • Working memory.
  • Cognitive flexibility.
  • Inhibition control.
Working memory

Working memory is the kind of memory that involves whatever you’re doing right now. If you’re reading, taking notes or having a conversation, then your working memory is part of the process.

Cognitive flexibility

Also known as fluid or flexible thinking, this refers to how well your brain can shift and move from one topic to another. The more flexible your thinking, the better you can adapt to whatever is happening around you. This also helps you react to unexpected changes in your situation.

People who are better at flexible thinking are often very creative and imaginative. This ability lets them connect concepts and ideas that might not ordinarily seem linked, which also helps with creative problem-solving.

Inhibition control

Inhibition control is your ability to steer or manage your thoughts, emotions and actions. This is a huge part of executive function, and we’d be unable to control our impulses and thoughts without it. There are two main ways that inhibition control works:

  • Behavioral control. This is your ability to keep yourself from doing things that you think you shouldn’t do. An example of this is staying silent around an extremely annoying person because you believe in the saying, “If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all.”
  • Interference control. This is the ability to steer or manage your thoughts. It includes focusing on something that needs your attention and ignoring whatever doesn’t. Sometimes, the attention and focus are outside of your head. Sometimes, you have to apply interference control to your own thoughts, which might distract you from whatever needs your attention.
Higher-level executive functions

Working memory, cognitive flexibility and inhibition control are the foundation of executive function. There are also higher-level processes that can happen, including:

  • Planning. This is when you mentally map out a series of actions that’ll help you reach a goal.
  • Reasoning. This is the ability to apply critical thinking. It’s a key way for you to build on your stored knowledge to think creatively or break down something complicated into easier-to-understand pieces.
  • Problem-solving. This function can involve all three main executive functions, as well as planning and reasoning. This is how you apply what you know and how you think to overcome obstacles or problems that are in front of you.

What are some examples of executive dysfunction?

Because executive functions involve so many processes inside of your brain, executive dysfunction can take many forms. Some examples of executive dysfunction include:

  • Being very distractible or having trouble focusing on just one thing.
  • Focusing too much on just one thing.
  • Daydreaming or “spacing out” when you should be paying attention (such as during a conversation, meeting, class, etc.).
  • Trouble planning or carrying out a task because you can’t visualize the finished product or goal.
  • Difficulty motivating yourself to start a task that seems difficult or uninteresting.
  • Struggling to move from one task to another.
  • Getting distracted or interrupted partway through a task, causing you to misplace items or lose your train of thought (like leaving your keys in the refrigerator because you wanted a snack, but your hands were full, so you put your keys down inside the refrigerator and forgot about them).
  • Problems with impulse control, like snacking when you’re trying to manage your diet.
  • Struggling with thinking before you talk, causing you to blurt out the first thing that pops in your head without considering that it might hurt someone’s feelings.
  • Having trouble explaining your thought process clearly because you understand it in your head, but putting it into words for others feels overwhelming.

Care and Treatment

How is executive dysfunction treated?

In general, the treatments for conditions that cause executive dysfunction can vary based on the condition itself and a person’s circumstances, health history and preferences. Because a variety of options is available, your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you what treatments are available and most likely to help you.

For the most part, mental health conditions that cause executive dysfunction are treatable, but this can vary from case to case.

Mental health conditions

When executive dysfunction happens because of a mental health condition, the goal is usually to treat the underlying condition causing it. That’s because executive dysfunction is often just one of the many symptoms that happens along with these disorders.

By treating the underlying disorder, it’s often possible to reduce the impact of executive dysfunction. With treatment, the effects of executive dysfunction are often minimal or barely noticeable. The most common treatment methods for mental health conditions that cause executive dysfunction include:

  • Medication. Medication(s) depends on the underlying condition. Potential medication types include stimulants (especially for ADHD), antidepressants and antipsychotics.
  • Psychotherapy (mental health therapy). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a very common form of mental health therapy for conditions that cause executive dysfunction. It’s common for treatment to involve only therapy or in combination with medication treatment.
Brain damage and degenerative disease treatments

The treatments for executive dysfunction from brain damage or degenerative brain conditions can vary widely. For some of these conditions, direct treatment or supportive care can help. For others, the underlying condition may improve on its own without treatment. Unfortunately, some of these conditions aren’t treatable. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you what kind of treatments are available and what results you can expect.

What can I do at home to deal with executive dysfunction?

It’s not possible to self-diagnose and treat conditions that cause executive dysfunction on your own. Because of this, you should see your healthcare provider if you suspect you have symptoms of executive dysfunction. They can either offer you treatment recommendations, such as medication, or suggest providers who can help you with other treatment options.

Is executive dysfunction preventable?

Executive dysfunction isn’t preventable when it happens because of mental health conditions or degenerative brain diseases.

The only ways to prevent executive dysfunction involve avoiding brain injuries that can cause it. Ways you can avoid this kind of damage include:

  • Wear safety equipment. Head injuries can result in brain damage that cause executive dysfunction. Helmets, seat belts and other protective gear can help you avoid head injuries whether you’re at work or at play. Other types of safety equipment can also help you avoid exposure from toxic chemicals or other substances that can also cause brain damage.
  • Don’t ignore infections. Eye and ear infections need fast treatment. If these infections spread to your brain, then they can become serious or even deadly. They can cause brain damage that leads to executive dysfunction.
  • Eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight. Many conditions related to your circulatory and heart health, especially stroke, can damage areas of your brain. Preventing — or at least delaying — stroke and similar conditions is a key way to reduce your risk of developing executive dysfunction.
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors in your home. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause severe brain damage (including executive dysfunction) if it isn’t discovered and treated quickly.

When to Call the Doctor

When should a doctor or healthcare provider diagnose and treat executive dysfunction?

If you notice this symptom and it’s disrupting your life and usual activities, then you should talk to your healthcare provider. You should also talk to your child’s pediatrician if you notice they’re showing signs of executive dysfunction, especially the symptoms that overlap with ADHD or any other mental health conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between executive dysfunction and procrastination?

Procrastination doesn’t happen because of an issue or problem with part of your brain. It’s a conscious choice to delay doing something.

When you have a condition that causes executive dysfunction, the parts of your brain that control self-motivation, planning and inhibition control don’t work as they would in a person without this condition. That means it’s not something you can easily control, if you can control it at all. Because of this, executive dysfunction isn’t procrastination, laziness or simply not caring.

Is executive dysfunction a symptom of ADHD?

Yes, executive dysfunction is one of the key symptoms of ADHD. Research shows that the parts of the brain involving executive functions tend to be smaller, less developed or less active in people with ADHD. That’s why ADHD nearly always involves this symptom. It’s also a common feature among many conditions that affect people who are neurodivergent.

What does executive dysfunction feel like?

People who have executive dysfunction are often very — even painfully — aware of the dysfunction. How it feels can take different forms, depending on what people are doing when they experience it:

  • When you’re trying to self-motivate to do a task. One way to describe it is like a vinyl record player that’s skipping over the same part of a song repeatedly. You want to fix the problem and make it play correctly, but the record is stuck in the same pattern.
  • In social situations. A person who has executive dysfunction can often struggle when interacting with others. This can feel like your words getting ahead of your thoughts or tripping over what you want to say. This often makes people with executive dysfunction feel very anxious or worried in social situations.
  • When trying to focus or concentrate. People with executive dysfunction can struggle to focus on something that needs their attention. They may find other sights, sounds and things happening around them extremely distracting to the point where concentrating is impossible.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Executive dysfunction is a symptom that experts are still researching and trying to better understand. What experts do know is that executive dysfunction disrupts some of the key functions of your brain that help you manage and control your thoughts, emotions and actions. On the outside, a person with executive dysfunction might seem careless or indifferent, but many people who experience this are uncomfortably — even painfully — aware of their struggle.

If this is something you face, then talking to your healthcare provider can be the first step to managing or even overcoming this issue. A trained provider can offer suggestions and resources that can help you. If you have a loved one who struggles with executive dysfunction, then patience, listening, understanding and support can make a big difference. With the right support and treatment, many people can learn to manage this symptom and reduce the disruption it has on their lives.

Disordered executive function: Symptoms, causes, and treatment

Executive function is a broad group of mental skills that enable people to complete tasks and interact with others. Disordered executive function can impair a person’s ability to organize themselves and manage their behavior.

Executive function disorder is not a specific stand-alone diagnosis or condition. Instead, neurological, mental health, and behavioral disorders, such as depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can affect a person’s executive function.

Occasionally, healthcare professionals may refer to disordered executive function as executive dysfunction.

Executive function skills help people complete tasks and interact with others. They include a range of skills, such as:

  • planning and organization
  • concentrating and managing mental focus
  • analyzing and processing information
  • managing emotions and behavior
  • remembering details
  • managing time
  • multitasking
  • solving problems

An executive function disorder impairs some of these skills, which can affect a person’s ability to manage and organize themselves to achieve goals.

However, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) does not recognize executive function disorder as a specific mental health condition. Instead, executive function issues are symptomatic of other neurological, mental health, and behavioral disorders.

For example, depression may affect certain executive functions, such as memory, attention, and management of inhibitions. Alzheimer’s disease can also sometimes severely impair executive function to a point where a person may no longer be able to drive, get dressed, or behave appropriately in social situations.

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
  • inability to learn from past consequences
  • difficulty solving problems
  • difficulty learning or processing new information

Problems with executive function may lead to:

  • affected performance at work or school
  • difficulty forming or maintaining relationships
  • mood issues
  • low self-esteem
  • avoidance of difficult tasks
  • low motivation or loss of interest in activities

Executive function takes time to develop, so many of these behaviors are typical in young children. However, if these behaviors persist, they may indicate that the child has difficulty with executive function.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental impairment of executive function that can cause hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.

Symptoms of ADHD can vary in type and severity, but may include:

  • fidgeting, restlessness, being unable to sit still, and talking excessively
  • acting without thinking and behaving in socially inappropriate ways
  • often interrupting other people’s conversations or activities
  • being prone to distraction or having a short attention span
  • making careless mistakes at work or in schoolwork
  • having difficulty organizing, completing, or focusing on tasks
  • general forgetfulness

People with executive function issues may have ADHD. However, ADHD is not the only condition that can affect executive function.

Conditions that can cause executive function issues include:

  • ADHD
  • depression and anxiety
  • bipolar disorder
  • schizophrenia
  • obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • autism
  • Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia
  • Tourette syndrome
  • traumatic injuries to the brain

Temporary causes of executive function issues can include:

  • exhaustion
  • severe pain
  • stress
  • distracting environments
  • drugs
  • alcohol

Doctors can use a variety of tests to help assess a person’s executive function.

For example, in the Stroop color and word test, a person looks at the names of colors that appear in different colored inks. So the word “red” may appear in green ink, and the word “yellow” may appear in blue ink. For each word, the person has to say what the ink color is rather than the written color name. This test can help evaluate a person’s mental management and selective attention.

Other tests that a doctor may use to assess executive function include:

  • trail making
  • clock drawing
  • verbal fluency
  • card sorting

If a doctor suspects a specific disorder, such as ADHD, they may skip executive functioning tests and instead compare the person’s symptoms with standard diagnostic criteria for that disorder.

A doctor may also recommend additional testing to rule out other causes. For example, they may order an MRI scan to rule out a stroke or brain tumor in people with signs of dementia.

The type of treatment will depend on the condition causing the executive function issues.

Some neurological disorders, particularly dementia, are progressive. Although some treatments may help slow the disease, symptoms may become more severe over time.

However, many causes of executive function issues are highly treatable.

Treatment options may include:

  • stimulant medications
  • antidepressants
  • antipsychotic medications
  • psychoeducation
  • occupational or speech therapy
  • cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

Executive function is a set of mental skills that help people plan, organize, manage their time, pay attention, process information, and manage their behavior. Executive function issues can affect everything from how a person interacts with other people to their ability to learn and work.

A common cause of executive function issues is ADHD, but other causes can include dementia, depression, schizophrenia, autism, and traumatic injuries to the brain.

Diagnosing the cause of executive function issues can help identify treatment options, such as medications and therapy. Signs of executive function issues include chronic disorganization, lack of focus, memory problems, and socially inappropriate behavior.

What is executive dysfunction | Lifestyle

✅Executive dysfunction refers to damage to the frontal lobes of the brain that interferes with cognitive, emotional and behavioral processes (which extend to many aspects of life).

Executive function impairment - This term includes impairment of the frontal lobes of the brain that interfere with cognitive, emotional and behavioral processes (which extend to many aspects of life). The significance of executive functions can be understood in situations where the difficulties that have arisen prevent the most ordinary actions from being carried out and lead to a decline in cognitive (thinking) skills, a holistic personality and social behavior.

  • What problems does executive dysfunction cause?
  • Which part of the brain controls executive functions?
  • What is executive dysfunction?
  • What problems does executive dysfunction cause?
  • Impact of executive dysfunction on daily life
  • Assessment of executive dysfunction
  • Rehabilitation of executive dysfunction
  • Coping strategies after brain injury
  • Executive dysfunction from the point of view of the guardian


Executive functioning is a universal term for many abilities, including:

  • Planning and control
  • Flexible thinking
  • Cleaning performance
  • Multivature problems
  • 9000
  • Self-awareness
  • Learning ability
  • Social behavior
  • Decision making
  • Motivation
  • Activation of behavior patterns
  • Avoidance of inappropriate behavior
  • Control of emotions
  • Mindfulness and information processing ability

Most of the people take these abilities for granted, performing extremely complex tasks most of their lives. Consider the role of some executive functions in a "simple" activity, for example, let's take cooking:

  • Motivation - the desire to cook delicious food and decide to do this process.
  • Planning and control - the need to get all the ingredients, as well as thinking about the time to prepare a single dish at one time.
  • Performance Tracking - checks the correctness of the cooking process (laying food, while water is boiling).
  • Flexible Thinking - increase the temperature during fast cooking, or decrease it if the food requires slow cooking.
  • Multi-tasking - performing laundry at the same time as cooking for a limited period of time.

These complex skills will require advanced brain functions.

Which part of the brain controls executive functions?

Executive functions (think of as the conductor of a brain band) are controlled by the frontal lobes of the brain, they are connected to many other areas of the brain, and also coordinate the activities of other parts. Trauma to the frontal lobes is the most common cause of executive dysfunction. Sometimes, damage to other areas of the brain that are associated with the frontal lobes can also impair executive functions.

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The frontal lobes cover most of the anterior region of the brain:

The frontal lobes can be damaged as a result of any form of traumatic brain injury, or other types of illness, such as stroke, tumor, encephalitis, and meningitis. They are especially vulnerable to traumatic brain injury due to their proximity to the front of the brain and their large size. A blow to the back of the head can lead to injury to the frontal lobe, as the brain is shaken back and forth in the skull and the frontal lobes hit the bony protrusions above the eye sockets.

What is executive dysfunction?

The importance of executive functions is manifested in situations in which the difficulties that have arisen do not allow performing the most ordinary actions, and lead to a decline in cognitive (thinking) skills, a holistic personality and social behavior.

The most common symptoms of executive dysfunction:

Difficulties with behavior activation, control and performance

  • Violation of the “get up and do” pattern0010
  • Problems planning and following the steps needed to complete a task

This can often be mistaken for "laziness" or a lack of motivation and energy.

Mental and physical obsession

Difficulties in evaluating the result of actions taken and reduced ability to change behavior or switch between tasks.

Difficulty in solving problems

  • Difficulty in anticipating consequences
  • Decreased ability to draw accurate conclusions or find solutions to problems if things don't go according to plan

Impulsivity most of the money earned in a short period)

Mood disturbances

  • Problems in emotional control leading to sudden emotional outbursts such as anger or screaming
  • Rapid mood changes from sadness to happiness for no apparent reason

Difficulty communicating with other people

  • Decreased ability to participate in social activities
  • Difficulty participating in active and open conversation
  • Weak
  • understanding of social direction, which can lead to inappropriate things in society

Difficulties with memory and attention

  • Inability to concentrate
  • Difficulty learning new information
  • Impairment of memory of past or current events leading to disorientation

You can hear different names for the symptoms listed above, usually they are called executive dysfunction, many people use the term "dyskinetic syndrome" or just "frontal lobe problems". Sometimes, due to the general focus of the problems, doctors combine the disease into the concept of a syndrome, since many symptoms occur together.

It is important to remember that not every patient with executive dysfunction experiences these problems. Symptoms can range from subtle and subtle behavioral abnormalities that only close friends and family members may notice.

Impact of executive dysfunction on daily life

Often, people with frontal lobe problems find it difficult to explain the difficulties they face because they do not understand that their behavior is inappropriate. Their behavior may appear anti-social and may be misinterpreted as depression, lack of motivation, selfishness, or aggression leading to negative relationships with others.

Problems with executive functioning can significantly affect the emotional life and lead to feelings of frustration, exhaustion, embarrassment and isolation. In the work environment, they are expressed in problems with multitasking tasks, organization and motivation of working time, inability to set priorities.

It is important to remember that this behavior occurs as a result of traumatic brain injury and is by no means intentional.

Evaluation of executive dysfunction

The initial evaluation of the functioning of the executive organs after a brain injury, usually performed by a clinical neuropsychologist. The score provides detailed information about a person's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral state. The obtained results can help in the formation of a rehabilitation strategy to solve current problems.

During the evaluation, the neuropsychologist may ask a number of questions:

  • What problems does the patient and his family experience?
  • How do the difficulties you encounter affect your daily tasks?
  • What are the goals of the patient, and is it possible for him to return to a standard social life (technical school, school, institute)?
  • To what extent is executive dysfunction related to the patient's basic abilities such as language, memory and perception?
  • If you compare the patient's abilities with people of the same age, origin, sex, how much difference is visible between his personality and them?
  • Has a brain injury made caring for a family impossible?
  • Which type of rehabilitation is best for the patient?

Neuropsychological assessments include a range of different, standardized tests that are designed to measure various aspects of cognitive functioning. Some of the proposed tests may be in written form, part as a puzzle or game format, while others in a real environment. It is important to note that the tests must be completed without prior knowledge or preparation in order to accurately reflect the person's current abilities.

It is important to remember that grades indicate areas that need rehabilitation, so people do not need to worry about the functioning of individual abilities, they need to complete the assigned tasks as much as possible.

Executive Dysfunction Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation can be complex and will require an individual approach to treatment. The rehabilitation program for each patient will depend on the patient's goals, the nature of the outgoing difficulties, self-esteem, readiness for treatment, level of social support, and the presence of other problems such as mood disturbance.

To improve a person's understanding of the problems that have arisen, it is necessary to inform him about the consequences of the injury. Therefore, reading a newsletter or other informational materials on the subject of the disease can be a useful activity for the patient and his family members.

Coping Strategies for Brain Injuries

Because executive functions are the foundation of our daily tasks and performance, there are several types of coping strategies patients need to consider:

Planning

Set aside enough time for yourself to plan events and activities, while writing down your plans using various gadgets and writing tools, such as a calendar, diary, laptop, computer, mobile phones.

  • When planning your day, week, or specific event, divide large tasks into smaller tasks
  • Use notes and checklists to mark each piece of work completed and see your own progress
  • Silently rehearse (visualize) and think about your plans
  • Discuss your plan with others, who may be able to help you create a step-by-step checklist or modify your current one
  • Similar strategies can be used for long-term planning, such as meetings that you need to complete. Discussing your plans with other people will make you more likely to remember early events that remain beyond the memory line
  • Step-by-step checklists can be posted in key areas of the apartment to remind you of upcoming or forgotten tasks that need to be completed as problems arise

Mood

  • , with the help of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy
  • These techniques can be useful crutches for you and those around you, but it is certainly better if you get help from close friends or relatives who are willing to discuss the reasons for your bad mood
  • Other people who learn about your injury may will take into account changes in behavior compared to previous reactions, so they will consider emotional manifestations as symptoms of illness, rather than laziness, selfishness or difficulties encountered

Social difficulties

  • Trusted friends or family members can help you by reminding you of old situations that have been difficult for you, or dealing with upcoming issues that have already occurred in your past experience

caregiver's vision

Caring for a person with an executive disability can create total dependency and withdrawal from one's personal life, and changes in the behavior of a relative or friend will often be unpleasant.

Problems that caregivers may experience:

  • Stress, anxiety or depression
  • Feelings of increased responsibility
  • Relationship strains
  • Decreased emotional and love connection with spouse9
  • 9 Restricted leisure time

  • tiredness and frustration

It is important that family members, caregivers and friends also have access to emotional and practical support (for example, on the Internet, where groups of people with similar problems are located remotely).

Conclusions:

Frontal lobe damage is the most common cause of acquired traumatic brain injury and causes symptoms collectively referred to as executive dysfunction.

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A variety of executive function difficulties mean that evaluation and rehabilitation is not a guaranteed path to normalization of the patient's condition, although the use of useful types of strategies and rehabilitation techniques will help patients recover faster by learning to manage their emotional urges. published by econet.ru

What is Executive Dysfunction

✅ Executive Dysfunction refers to damage to the frontal lobes of the brain that interferes with cognitive, emotional and behavioral processes (which extend to many aspects of life).

Executive function impairment - This term includes impairment of the frontal lobes of the brain that interfere with cognitive, emotional and behavioral processes (which extend to many aspects of life). The significance of executive functions can be understood in situations where the difficulties that have arisen prevent the most ordinary actions from being carried out and lead to a decline in cognitive (thinking) skills, a holistic personality and social behavior.

  • What problems does executive dysfunction cause?
  • Which part of the brain controls executive functions?
  • What is executive dysfunction?
  • What problems does executive dysfunction cause?
  • Impact of executive dysfunction on daily life
  • Assessment of executive dysfunction
  • Rehabilitation of executive dysfunction
  • Coping strategies after brain injury
  • Executive dysfunction from the guardian's point of view


Executive functioning is a generic term for many abilities, including:

  • Planning and Control
  • Flexible thinking
  • Performance monitoring
  • Multitasking
  • Solving non-standard problems
  • Self-consciousness
  • Learning Ability
  • Social behavior
  • Decision making
  • Motivation
  • Behavior activation
  • Avoidance misbehavior
  • Emotion control
  • Mindfulness and ability to process information

Most of the people take these abilities for granted, performing extremely complex tasks most of their lives. Consider the role of some executive functions in a "simple" activity, for example, take the preparation of food:

  • Motivation - the desire to cook delicious food and decide to do this process.
  • Planning and control - the need to get all the ingredients, as well as thinking about the time to prepare a single dish at one time.
  • Performance tracking - checking the correctness of the cooking process (laying food while boiling water).
  • Flexible thinking - increase the temperature during fast cooking, or decrease it if the food requires slow cooking.
  • Multi-tasking - performing washing at the same time as cooking for a limited period of time.

These complex skills will require advanced brain functions.

Which part of the brain controls executive functions?

Executive functions (think of as the conductor of a brain band) are controlled by the frontal lobes of the brain, they are connected to many other areas of the brain, and also coordinate the activities of other parts. Trauma to the frontal lobes is the most common cause of executive dysfunction. Sometimes, damage to other areas of the brain that are associated with the frontal lobes can also impair executive functions.

The frontal lobes cover most of the anterior region of the brain:

The frontal lobes can be damaged as a result of any form of traumatic brain injury, or other types of illness, such as stroke, tumor, encephalitis, and meningitis. They are especially vulnerable to traumatic brain injury due to their proximity to the front of the brain and their large size. A blow to the back of the head can lead to injury to the frontal lobe, as the brain is shaken back and forth in the skull and the frontal lobes hit the bony protrusions above the eye sockets.

What is executive dysfunction?

The importance of executive functions is manifested in situations in which the difficulties that have arisen do not allow performing the most ordinary actions, and lead to a decline in cognitive (thinking) skills, a holistic personality and social behavior.

The most common symptoms of executive dysfunction:

Difficulties with behavior activation, control and performance

  • Violation of the “get up and do” pattern0010
  • Problems with planning and executing the sequential steps required to complete a task

This can often be mistaken for "laziness" or a lack of motivation and energy.

Mental and physical obsession

Difficulties in evaluating the result of actions taken and reduced ability to change behavior or switch between tasks.

Difficulty in solving problems

  • Difficulty in foreseeing consequences
  • Decreased ability to draw accurate conclusions or find solutions to problems if work does not go according to plan

Impulsiveness

  • The actions taken are too fast and impulsive, and lead to unexpected consequences (for example, spending most of the money earned in a short period)

Mood disorders

  • Problems in emotional control resulting in sudden emotional outbursts such as anger or screaming
  • Rapid mood changes leading from sadness to happiness for no apparent reason

Difficulties in communicating with other people

  • Reduced ability to participate in social activities
  • Difficulty in participation with active and open conversation
  • Poor understanding of social direction, which can lead to inappropriate things in society

Memory and attention difficulties

  • Inability to concentrate
  • Difficulty learning new information
  • Impairment of memory of past or current events leading to disorientation

You may hear different names for the symptoms listed above, usually referred to as executive dysfunction, many people use the term "dyskinetic syndrome" or simply "frontal lobe problems". Sometimes, due to the general focus of the problems, doctors combine the disease into the concept of a syndrome, since many symptoms occur together.

It is important to remember that not every patient with executive dysfunction experiences these problems. Symptoms can range from subtle and subtle behavioral abnormalities that only close friends and family members may notice.

Impact of executive dysfunction on daily life

Often, people with frontal lobe problems find it difficult to explain the difficulties they face because they do not understand that their behavior is inappropriate. Their behavior may appear anti-social and may be misinterpreted as depression, lack of motivation, selfishness, or aggression leading to negative relationships with others.

Problems with executive functioning can significantly affect the emotional life and lead to feelings of frustration, exhaustion, embarrassment and isolation. In the work environment, they are expressed in problems with multitasking tasks, organization and motivation of working time, inability to set priorities.

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It is important to remember that this behavior occurs as a result of traumatic brain injury and is by no means intentional.

Evaluation of executive dysfunction

The initial evaluation of the functioning of the executive organs after a brain injury, usually performed by a clinical neuropsychologist. The score provides detailed information about a person's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral state. The obtained results can help in the formation of a rehabilitation strategy to solve current problems.

During the evaluation, the neuropsychologist may ask a number of questions:

  • What problems does the patient and his family experience?
  • How do difficulties affect daily tasks?
  • What are the goals of the patient, and is it possible to return to a standard social life (technical school, school, institute)?
  • To what extent is executive dysfunction related to the patient's basic abilities such as language, memory and perception?
  • If we compare the patient's abilities with people of the same age, origin, sex, then how much difference is visible between his personality and them?
  • Did a brain injury make caring for a family impossible?
  • Which type of rehabilitation is best for the patient?

Neuropsychological assessments include a range of different, standardized tests that are designed to measure various aspects of cognitive functioning. Some of the proposed tests may be in written form, part as a puzzle or game format, while others in a real environment. It is important to note that the tests must be completed without prior knowledge or preparation in order to accurately reflect the person's current abilities.

It is important to remember that grades indicate areas that need rehabilitation, so people do not need to worry about the functioning of individual abilities, they need to complete the assigned tasks as much as possible.

Executive Dysfunction Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation can be complex and will require an individual approach to treatment. The rehabilitation program for each patient will depend on the patient's goals, the nature of the outgoing difficulties, self-esteem, readiness for treatment, level of social support, and the presence of other problems such as mood disturbance.

To improve a person's understanding of the problems that have arisen, it is necessary to inform him about the consequences of the injury. Therefore, reading a newsletter or other informational materials on the subject of the disease can be a useful activity for the patient and his family members.

Coping Strategies for Brain Injuries

Because executive functions are the foundation of our daily tasks and performance, there are several types of coping strategies patients need to consider:

Planning

Set aside enough time for yourself to plan events and activities, while writing down your plans using various gadgets and writing tools, such as a calendar, diary, laptop, computer, mobile phones.

  • When planning your day, week or specific event, divide large tasks into smaller ones
  • Use notes and checklists to mark each piece of work completed and see your own progress
  • Silently rehearse (visualization) and consider your plans
  • Discuss your plan with others who are close to you, they may be able to help you create a step-by-step checklist or change your current one
  • Strategies like these can be used for long-term planning, such as appointments that you need to complete. Discussing your plans with other people will make you more likely to remember early events that remain beyond the memory line
  • Step-by-step checklists can be placed in key areas of the apartment to remind you of upcoming or forgotten tasks that need to be done
  • Prepare a plan for doing daily chores such as shopping, laundry, and cleaning the house
  • Try to make plans ahead of time, not as problems arise

mood

  • -behavioral psychotherapy
  • These techniques can be useful crutches for you and those around you, but it is certainly better if you get help from close friends or relatives who are willing to discuss the reasons for your bad mood
  • Other people who become aware of your trauma may be sensitive to changes in behavior from previous responses, so they will see emotional manifestations as symptoms of illness rather than laziness, selfishness, or difficulties encountered

Social difficulties

  • Loyal friends or family members can help you by reminding you of old situations that caused you difficulty or dealing with upcoming issues that have already occurred in your past experience

Executive dysfunction from a caregiver's point of view

Caring for a person with a lack of executive function can create complete dependence and withdrawal from one's personal life, and changes in the behavior of a relative or friend will often be unpleasant.

Problems that caregivers may have:

  • Stress, anxiety or depression
  • Feeling of increased responsibility
  • Tensions
  • Decreased emotional and love relationship with spouse
  • Restricted leisure or social life
  • Feeling tired and frustrated

It is important that family members, caregivers and friends also have access to emotional and practical support (eg online, where there are remote groups of people with similar problems).

Conclusions:

Frontal lobe damage is the most common cause of acquired traumatic brain injury and causes symptoms collectively referred to as executive dysfunction.

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A variety of executive function difficulties mean that assessment and rehabilitation is not a guaranteed path to normalization of the patient's condition, although the use of useful types of strategies and rehabilitation techniques will help patients recover faster by learning to manage their emotional urges.


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