Executive dysfunction or anxiety?

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I frequently hold really important things that I absolutely have to do off until the last minute- particularly if it involves interacting with anyone. These sorts of things usually drive me crazy, and I usually spend a lot of time thinking about them and doing them and getting stressed out about it, but never actually getting it done. I hold them off so long that eventually they create much bigger problems for me.

For example: I'm supposed to be doing an online university this semester, and the semester started early last week. I had a problem with my online account so couldn't get on to the university page where I can find and complete my work until a few days after the university started. By that point, I was so overwhelmed with having to email professors and explaining why I couldn't post in discussions, finding out about the quizzes and readings that I missed, finding what books I need to order so I can actually do my work, and what needs to be done in the coming weeks, that I just didn't log on again until this week. When I did log on, I took one look at one of my classes and the books and assignments that needed doing, and then logged off again without looking at my other classes and without recording anything that needs to be ordered or done. So now it's 2 weeks into classes, and I still haven't done anything and have probably missed so much work (although I have no idea how much because I haven't checked). I do this sort of thing all the time, but what I don't know is whether or not it's caused by anxiety or executive dysfunction. I get really really anxious about doing everything and what my professors are going to say and if they're going to yell at me, but at the same time I don't really know if that anxiety is also caused because of the many little things I have to do that are really overwhelming to me.

Does anyone else do things like this that create huge problems for you and cause you so much anxiety, and yet you still don't get things done?

It sounds like executive disfunction to me, but I'm not an authority. Have you gotten into the Students with Disabilities program? I did, and it changed my life. Asperger's is not a disability in itself, but trying to get along in a structured institution with Asperger's can be so difficult as to amount to a disability. Personally, I think the disability is with the institution. The important thing is not to lose out on account of it. This is not your fault. Get all the help available.

I hope you're not calling yourself a weakling - what you have done so far takes great courage and determination. You don't get knocked down and stay down, you get up and go back and try again. You are very brave, pat yourself on the back for that.

This is yet another "chicken vs. egg question."

Executive functioning problems can cause anxiety because of so much we can't seem to get accomplished.

Anxiety, when it's bad enough, can cause interference with executive functioning, which can cause...

And on and on and on and on...

I can't even imagine life without both.

The issue isn't what the difference is. The issue is what underlying conditions could be the cause of the cycle to begin with.

If you have AS, you PROBABLY have problems with executive functioning, which leads to anxiety.

Same is true with ADHD.

I believe depression can cause anxiety, which will then interfere with executive functioning.

Whatever the case, I don't believe it's a matter of "either/or." (I just removed the last line, 'cause I realized it was WRONG.)

EDIT: If you begin with executive functioning problems, and that's what leads to the anxiety, treat the executive functioning, and the anxiety won't have reason to crop up. If your anxiety is causing executive functioning problems, treat the anxiety, and the executive functioning will take care of itself. It can be more complicated than that if you have comorbid conditions that cause both. Sometimes both might have to be treated.

Whatever the case, it's the underlying CONDITION that matters. You've GOT to identify that (or those) before you can know which to treat first.

(BTW: The "last line" I removed? I had said the question was moot. Then I the above thoughts caused me to realize it's not moot at all.)