It’s not surprising that you’re confused because there’s a lot of overlap between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and executive function disorder. The key difference is that if someone has ADHD, they almost always have executive function disorder. But it’s also possible to have executive function disorder without having an ADHD diagnosis.
As you may already know, ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder and there are three types:
- Hyperactive/impulsive, which is the classic type of ADHD where a person can’t sit still.
- Inattentive, which is a type of ADHD that is more common in girls and often goes unrecognized. If people have this form of ADHD, their brains aren’t engaging in what’s going on around them, so they look like they’re checked out or a million miles away.
- Combination, where a person will exhibit traits of the first two types of ADHD.
I like to think of executive function as the “get it done” button in our brains that enables us to organize our thoughts and activities. People with executive function deficits often have trouble with activation—things like getting started, organizing, and prioritizing are challenging and can be huge barriers. This can look like they’re big procrastinators because once that sense of urgency is gone, they move on to the next thing, which means they often leave a lot of things unfinished.
Time management can also be a huge struggle for people with executive function disorder. When you have a task and you’re not sure where to start or what the outcome is going to be, you don’t usually assign a realistic amount of time for completing it. If it’s not interesting, you’re going to avoid it, so you don't even want to think about how much time it's going to take.
When someone has executive function disorder that’s not associated with ADHD, it can be related to having a mood disorder such as depression or anxiety. It may also be the result of trauma or can occur after having a stroke. Executive function deficits can also be a side effect of medications or be associated with certain chronic conditions. There’s even some evidence that executive function deficits can result from having long-term COVID.
If you suspect that you may have either ADHD or executive function disorder, the first step is to see a neuropsychologist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional to get properly diagnosed. While there’s no medication that’s approved for executive function disorder, many of the medications that are used for ADHD will help mitigate these executive function challenges.
Coaching is another aspect of treatment for both ADHD and executive function disorder. We work with both adults and children to help them learn how to structure their days, follow a schedule, and stay organized.
