ADHD Aha! | What is executive function?

Executive function comes up all the time in our interviews with people with ADHD. Why is that? Expert Dr. Karen Wilson joins Laura in this episode to explain. She defines executive function and talks about the types of skills under the executive function umbrella. Dr. Wilson also answers questions like: Does everyone with ADHD have executive function challenges? And what’s the link between executive function and mental health challenges like anxiety?

Dr. Wilson is a clinical neuropsychologist and the founder of ChildNEXUS, a web application that connects parents of kids with learning or mental health challenges with service providers. Tune in to learn about the connection between ADHD and executive function — and what it means for people with ADHD in everyday life.

[Monkofmagnesia]

I was diagnosed with ADD in 2000 (they now call it the redundant ADHD non H). Been on Adderall ever since. I was told that the frontal lobe does not receive a suffient amount of electricity. Caffeine elevates that to normal, but does not remain in the system for long. This is why I could drink coffee all day and still fall asleep at bed time. Also, I could drink it all day and never get the shakes. Those who do get the shakes is because their electrical levels were normal to begin with and now they have too much. In 2014, I was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome. Was told that is hard to diagnes as the symptoms are parallel and overlap. Seems I have ADD and Asperger's. Treatment was the same - Adderall and psychological counseling. I take 10mg Extended release of Adderall daily. It does help.

[JustEye_La]

What a great podcast.
Our ten yr old son was recently diagnosed with ADHD. I too prefer ( executive, functioning).

It’s been a journey as far as meds, routine, diet & exercise.

[zuri]

Wonderful interview, thank you so much for this!

[ruthbrown]

Interesting and informative show - thank you. Can ADHD symptoms get worse during the menopause? I seem to have more trouble concentrating and focussing now than ever before. I'm 52.

[PatientPerspective]

Wow. Nice talk. Working memory is a great one. I'm not sure if auditory processing disorder is a symptom. I wasn't diagnosed with ADHD but have seizures in the frontal lobe and surgery in the temp. I wouldn't be surprised at all if I had ADHD

[PinkLady]

Praying this helps ppl understand when I can't act like other ppl.

Things that are so simple, common & structured for others are nearly or completely impossible for me.

Like snail mail. I was liberated when email came along!! Only 1 step!! HALLELUJAH!! I can now write to ppl AND they get it!!

I have a hi IQ so I am VERY hard on myself when I can't follow through or accomplish simple ordinary things.

Anyway You can help me like myself & my 1st world dysfunctions better?

This was an incredible peek into SOOOO many of my inabilities! Thank You both deeply for providing this for me.

I will look at the guest's sites etc to find this cognitive therapy she mentioned.

I went to my local small town mental health for just such a thing to retrain my brain to be more like others & they just wanted to give me pills - which I will Not take!

Anyway... I digress 🤪🤓 Another characteristic in which I shine!! 😂 Thank You, Thank You, THANK YOU!!

I have glimmer of hope👍🏼🎉🗝️💎

[IllustratedMan]

50 years of dextroamphetamine. otherwise i would not have made it. executive functions. a few months ago I developed hyperthyroidism. graves’ disease. i’ve lowered myself to 5 mg. methimazole has stopped it 3 weeks. however my executive function is all out of wack. everything was fine until few months ago.
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