any ways to improve my executive functioning skills?

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Alphabetania
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25 Dec 2009, 12:52 pm

That laziness is usually not laziness. It is often a result of hypersensitivity to visual stimuli. This is a so-called "sensory processing" problem, and in some people it is so severe that it is classified as a Sensory Processing Problem (SPD). I have this problem, and AFAIk it is not unusual in aspies with ADHD, of which I am one.

The short of it is that seeing the clutter overstimulates your senses and you become overwhelmed and tired by it -- depleted of the mental energy required to fix the problem.

Sorting out the sensory problems helps to deal with the mess. In my case, I am also often hypersensitive to sounds, but bass sounds and vibration help my senses to function better. So if I need to tidy up or clean up, I put on loud rock music with a heavy beat, and then automatically stimming (dancing). This makes my senses start working together, the energy returns to my body after a while, and to my brain, and I can do the main tidying and cleaning.

Sorting out piles of mixed papers and other small things requires a different technique.

I am a naturally messy person because of my ADHD and sensory problems, but I constantly develop workarounds to help me. Sometimes I fail. Sometimes I have sustained success.

One day I will write a book about this... when I have sufficient workarounds for my ADHD procrastination.


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Alphabetania
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25 Dec 2009, 12:55 pm

PS: If your executive functioning skills affect your relationships, and you are already on medication for concentration and anxiety, the next thing to add to the mix is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.


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Aimless
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25 Dec 2009, 4:45 pm

Alphabetania wrote:

Quote:
The short of it is that seeing the clutter overstimulates your senses and you become overwhelmed and tired by it -- depleted of the mental energy required to fix the problem.


I think this describes my problem exactly and I also think it has to do with a certain kind of non NT visual processing where everything in the field of vision is given equal focus and not categorized according to importance. I hope I'm explaining that correctly. It's something someone here mentioned when the discussion was on why some people don't notice the simple beauty around them. I found it- it's from nara44 in the incidental beauty thread.


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Alphabetania
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25 Dec 2009, 6:06 pm

Aimless, my colleagues and I had sensory profiling done by Annemarie Lombard and she came to do a workplace consultation. I had a meltdown in the middle of it, as we discussed many issues which have been difficult to deal with amongst ourselves and it was very stressful to discuss them whilst struggling with an anxiety disorder. But it was very helpful to us, and it strengthened our team because we are understanding each other better. We are reading her book on Sensory Intelligence now.

On 6 January I have an appointment at my home with a professional organiser. Although she is not an expert in chronic disorganisation, she has worked with ADHD people before, and has been helpful to my ADHD colleague in helping her develop strategies that work for her unique self -- not for the average Joe.


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25 Dec 2009, 6:08 pm

Odin wrote:
1. Ritalin
i really do love ritilan, you know i gotta say i snagged a few from my brother. well it was goodtimes see and i didnt want to let that one get away. but i also have executive dysfunction. i think you can do some kind of congative therapy to lessen that bad boy but now i will have to wait until 2014 until the healthcare thingy takes effect :lol:


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25 Dec 2009, 6:13 pm

Alphabetania wrote:
Aimless, my colleagues and I had sensory profiling done by Annemarie Lombard and she came to do a workplace consultation. I had a meltdown in the middle of it, as we discussed many issues which have been difficult to deal with amongst ourselves and it was very stressful to discuss them whilst struggling with an anxiety disorder. But it was very helpful to us, and it strengthened our team because we are understanding each other better. We are reading her book on Sensory Intelligence now.

On 6 January I have an appointment at my home with a professional organiser. Although she is not an expert in chronic disorganisation, she has worked with ADHD people before, and has been helpful to my ADHD colleague in helping her develop strategies that work for her unique self -- not for the average Joe.


That sounds interesting-I'll make a note of her name and her book.


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RampionRampage
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25 Dec 2009, 6:50 pm

Aimless wrote:
Alphabetania wrote:
Quote:
The short of it is that seeing the clutter overstimulates your senses and you become overwhelmed and tired by it -- depleted of the mental energy required to fix the problem.


I think this describes my problem exactly and I also think it has to do with a certain kind of non NT visual processing where everything in the field of vision is given equal focus and not categorized according to importance. I hope I'm explaining that correctly. It's something someone here mentioned when the discussion was on why some people don't notice the simple beauty around them. I found it- it's from nara44 in the incidental beauty thread.


My SO watched me one day and suddenly said, "You really just don't see it, do you?"
Yeah, I love him for his observations. I learn along with him. :)

But, I will say that my concentration is drastically improved once I /do/ remove the clutter, which is why it's really important to me to work on this issue.


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25 Dec 2009, 6:59 pm

Clutter seems to be my natural state although I'm very sure I'd function better without it. I periodically unload and then I turn around and there it is again.


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25 Dec 2009, 8:00 pm

I find just thinking about it (with a healthy dose of willpower) helps. It's obviously not a perfect solution because it doesn't always work, but that's a failing of mine.

Edit: BTW, when I say thinking about it, I mean thinking about it as being related to executive functioning issues.


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