Exec. Func. again

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OK, I just realized I went another week without brushing my teeth. Also, yesterday, I could not get going, so I had to call out of work. I realized that I had only had one thing of instant ramen until I went and ate a big bowl of cereal and got a Subway sandwich, but by then my stomach had to digest it and my head was feeling foggy, so I knew I couldn't work.

*hugs*

I have had trouble with dishes today and spent 2 hrs staring at the sink trying to figure out how to even start.

I have a weekly check list that has things like laundry, groceries etc 2-3 times a week scheduled to remind me to go, and to provide leeway for bad days when somethings get skipped.

My bathing and teethbrushing only improved post marriage as my hubby drags me into the shower with him daily. (NOT for sex you perverts, the shower is too tiny anyway, just to make sure I stay clean, it is a way he takes care of me while I make sure he has clean clothes and nutritious meals).

Just missed a second day in a row.

You are not alone.

One thing that works for me is to make tooth brushing part of routine with breakfast:

Make coffee, cook breakfast, serve breakfast to mum, eat breakfast, finish coffee, shave, wash face, brush teeth, shower, second cup of coffee, dress for the day.

If for some reason there is a break in the chain, odds are high it won't happen. I keep Listerine gel strips in my bag to reduce any resulting halitosis.

So the basic strategy is: 1) reduce the risk with rigid routine and 2) mitigate the malodorous miasma that may manifest if routine breaks down.

What makes you forget to brush your teeth?

Maybe, when you go outside, you could bring a toothbrush and toothpaste, and find somewhere where you could brush.

I used to keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in my desk at work, so I could compensate for forgetful mornings.

Very sensible, sir.

I've been known to bring a razor to work, in case I forget to shave.

I have a routine when I use the bathroom:


1. Take mucous thinning tablet
2. Use tongue scraper
3. Blow nose then rinse mouth
4. Brush top teeth row
5. Blow nose then rinse mouth
6. Brush bottom teeth row (new toothpaste application)
7. Blow nose then rinse mouth

8. Take shirt off
9. Shave face

10. Enter shower
11. Briefly wash entire body (1 minute rinse or so)
12. Thoroughly clean ears, eyes and face
13. Shampoo and rinse hair
14. Shave unwanted hairs
15. Rinse body from the top down
16. Exit shower

17. Blow nose then rinse mouth
18. Use Listerine
18. Apply deodorant
19. Apply fragrance

20. Get dressed (pants first while deodorant dries)

21. Blow-dry hair
22. Straighten hair
23. Wax hair


When I don't follow this, I'll feel uncomfortable (physically and mentally) and incomplete. I'm also incredibly disinclined to do something such as brushing my teeth without completing the whole procedure. I don't really forget anything anymore as I've followed these steps so many times now that it's ingrained into me.

I can't stand to not brush my teeth. After just one day I can feel the fuzz growing and I keep running my tongue over my teeth.

Your routine is very Felix Unger.

Ever seen the Odd Couple?

Is this a quite typical asperger problem? The reason I ask is that I've been struggling with this my entire life but am currently undiagnosed. Some days I feel totally organized and ready to go but other days I feel completely lost. On those lost days, it feels like I am in slow motion. Getting dressed takes hours at times, I forget "routine" things like brushing my hair or even eating. Like I said, I've always had this problem but always thought I must be just dumb. I've always wondered how I can be so smart in academics but have such little common sense. It's always been a struggle.

Yes it is.

Right now I am looking at a pile of reading material that I have been meaning to read but just have not gotten to for months and years.

http://www.sacramentoasis.com/docs/8-22 ... ficits.pdf
http://www.waisman.wisc.edu/~rowley/sb- ... lities.pdf

According to the BRIEF-A test 90% of the world has better executive functioning then me.