What Is Executive Function - And Why Is Executive Dysfunction So Bad for Mental Health?

Understand executive function and how its dysfunction impacts mental health—learn strategies to enhance cognitive skills and improve daily functioning.
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OK, here’s the thing, you (or someone you know) might have been diagnosed with ADHD, depression, PTSD, or anxiety, (because like 30% of the US has had a diagnosis like this). Or even more likely, you might struggle with impulse control, or procrastination, or getting stuff done. Maybe you feel overwhelmed or you’re not reaching your goals. And both the internet and professionals are quick to give you a big diagnosis, like ADHD or anxiety…But what if it might be more helpful to think of it differently? What if we could describe the cause of your symptoms in a much more specific, actionable way?

I cannot say it loudly enough how important it is to learn about executive function, because when you do you might be amazed to find out that you have a specific name for a specific problem that has a specific set of skills that actually solve that problem. THIS is why we’re going to talk about what the heck is executive function and six things you can do to improve your executive functioning skills.

Executive function is a set of mental skills coordinated in the brain’s frontal lobe that sorts through information, delays gratification, manages thoughts and emotions and decides what is most important and helps you take action toward your goals instead of just what you feel like doing. Yeah, it’s pretty darn important.

00:00 Intro
01:00 The Importance Of Learning About Executive Function
04:00 What Executive Function Skills Are, Why They’re So Important And What You Can Do To Strengthen Them
11:00 Get As Specific As Possible
14:00 The Big Three For Brain Health

Click the link below to access the transcript:
https://therapyinanutshell.com/execut...

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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health.
In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.
And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/c...

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