How ADHD Impacts Executive Functioning

Oftentimes, when people think of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), they imagine behavioral symptoms such as an inability to focus, sit still, or remember things. While these are common experiences for someone with ADHD, they stem from the ADHD brain’s unique wiring between the frontal lobe and other areas of the brain like the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and amygdala. When the circuits connecting these regions have difficulty firing correctly, a person’s executive functioning may be affected.

What is Executive Functioning?

Executive functioning is a lot like the brain’s personal assistant, keeping things organized, timely, and on track. This system includes many important cognitive tasks such as emotional regulation, problem-solving, task management, time perception, planning, and organizing. When executive functioning is compromised, a person might struggle with starting tasks and finishing them, knowing how to prioritize, and remaining even-keeled when faced with intense emotions. This can impact not only day-to-day productivity but also the ability to maintain healthy relationships and manage personal responsibilities.

Executive Functioning Challenges

There are seven key tasks that make up the executive functioning system. These are self-awareness, inhibition, working memory, emotional regulation, motivation, and planning and problem-solving. Below is a closer look at what these challenges might look like in everyday life:

Self-awareness: The ADHD brain often struggles with metacognition, or thinking about one’s own thinking. Challenges with identifying thoughts, feelings, and actions can make it difficult to refocus on tasks or pick up on social cues from others.

Inhibition: Impulsivity, a hallmark of ADHD, is often a result of compromised inhibition, or self-restraint. This may present as difficulty thinking before acting.

Working memory: Working memory allows us to visualize and hold information in our minds while manipulating it. When working memory is impaired, it can be hard to follow step-by-step instructions or complete tasks with multiple phases.

Emotional regulation: Emotional regulation helps us experience the highs and lows of life while remaining functional. Difficulty regulating emotions may lead to feeling overwhelmed, out of control, or unable to calm down after big emotional reactions.

Motivation: Starting and completing tasks requires motivation. When self-motivation is impaired, initiating and following through on tasks can feel especially challenging.

Planning and problem-solving: Feeling overwhelmed by complex problems with multiple steps or struggling to prioritize tasks are common issues related to challenges in planning and problem-solving.

ADHD Therapy in Denver

While living with ADHD may present challenges to executive functioning, the Emotionally Focused Therapists at Colorado Therapy Collective (CTC) can work with you to manage your symptoms and identify your unique strengths. At CTC, our therapists understand that having a different perspective is a gift and strive to create a supportive environment that welcomes and celebrates neurodiversity.

On our ADHD Therapy for Individuals specialty page, you can learn more about how we support people with ADHD. If you’re ready to begin ADHD counseling, fill out our contact form by clicking below to get in touch with a member of our intake team for a free 20-minute consultation. Getting help with ADHD is possible, and we’re here to help every step of the way. 

Barkley, R. (2024, January 29). What is executive function? 7 deficits tied to ADHD. ADDitude. https://www.additudemag.com/7-executive-function-deficits-linked-to-adhd/