Executive dysfunction, or executive function disorder, refers to the set of symptoms caused by a disruption in a person’s ability to control how they think, feel, and act. As a result, they may struggle with memory, attention, and self-regulation.[1]

Here are a few key things to know about executive dysfunction:

  • Symptoms often include trouble organizing, remembering instructions, staying on track, and following through with a task.
  • It’s common in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). 
  • It can also be linked to other conditions, such as autism, depression, multiple sclerosis, and dementia.[1]

If you have ADHD, you’ll likely notice problems with your executive function. But if you struggle with executive function, this does not necessarily mean you have ADHD. 

Keep reading to learn more about the relationship between adult ADHD and executive function disorder.

Originally published on January 24th, 2023, this post was updated and republished on September 1st, 2025.

What Is Executive Dysfunction?

Executive dysfunction is a range of behavioral symptoms that change how a person regulates their emotions, thoughts, and actions.

It is not a medical diagnosis. Instead, it describes the set of symptoms that occur when the brain’s role in controlling thoughts and actions is disrupted.

Executive dysfunction most commonly affects people with specific mental health conditions that affect the brain. These include ADHD, Tourette syndrome, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia. People with brain injuries or brain tumors might also experience executive dysfunction.[1]

You may have also heard of the term executive function disorder (EFD). While some people use it interchangeably with executive dysfunction, the two aren’t the same. 

Executive dysfunction refers to the symptoms themselves, like poor memory, difficulty focusing, or problems with planning. 

EFD, on the other hand, is sometimes used informally to describe this set of symptoms as a long-term disorder. However, it’s important to note that EFD is not an official medical diagnosis or distinct mental health condition.

Executive Dysfunction Symptoms

Symptoms of executive dysfunction can be categorized into several main areas. 

Planning and organization might be affected by executive dysfunction. Symptoms include:[1][2]

  • Struggling to plan ahead
  • Issues with organizing activities or following a schedule
  • Difficulty prioritizing and sequencing steps to complete a task
  • Difficulty keeping personal belongings and documents organized
  • Having a messy workspace

Cognitive and memory issues linked to executive dysfunction include:[1][2]

  • Losing or misplacing important items
  • Forgetting key details or instructions
  • Struggling to switch between tasks
  • Difficulty multitasking
  • Mentally rigid and/or inflexible

Time management can also be a problem. This can lead to:[1][2]

  • Failure to meet deadlines
  • Being late to appointments, events, meetings, or social activities
  • Procrastinating and having problems with motivation

Impulsivity in executive dysfunction might show up as:[1][2]

  • Making poor decisions without considering outcomes
  • Engaging in risky behaviors
  • Interrupting others
  • Blurting out things without thinking

Emotional dysregulation can be linked to:[3]

  • Trouble processing, controlling, and regulating emotions
  • Reacting inappropriately due to anger or frustration
  • Difficulty coping with stress and anxiety

Someone experiencing executive dysfunction may show some or most of the signs above.

But say you only have trouble with one or two of them. If so, it’s unlikely that you have executive function disorder.

Having executive dysfunction symptoms can make it challenging to handle various tasks, such as organizing, planning, or managing your time.

This doesn’t mean that you aren’t smart or responsible. Your brain simply processes information differently.

What Are Executive Functions?

Executive functioning refers to mental processes and skills that help you prioritize, plan, organize, and adapt to reach a goal.

Executive functions are essential for accomplishing day-to-day objectives like cooking dinner or getting to work on time. They’re also crucial for long-term goals like finishing a degree or starting a business.

Executive functioning can be split into a few components. Here is a list and examples of how they’re used in daily life: 

  • Working memory: Remembering the instructions given for a specific recipe and following through with it
  • Inhibition control: Resisting the urge to check your phone during a meeting
  • Set shifting: Switching from working on a task to answering a colleague’s question
  • Planning and organizing: Planning out your work week so you can complete all your tasks on time
  • Decision-making or reasoning: Weighing the pros and cons before making an expensive purchase
  • Problem-solving: Figuring out an alternate route when your usual road to work is closed
  • Time management: Estimating how long it will take for you to get ready so you can make it to your appointment on time

Let’s explore each one in more detail. 

Working Memory

Your working memory is a limited-capacity system that enables you to store and process information temporarily. It’s involved in the tasks you work on at any given moment.[4]

It comes into play when you’re trying to process sentences in a conversation or recall digits like a phone number or a one-time password.

Working memory is also vital for high-level functions. You use it to store and process the information needed for planning, prioritizing, and organizing.

With an executive function disorder, you may find it difficult to remember dates and instructions or where you placed important items.

Inhibition Control

Inhibition control, also known as self-control or self-restraint, enables you to regulate your emotions, thoughts, and actions. It’s the ability to hold back a natural, automatic, or learned response that might not be appropriate in a given situation.[1]

The following are some ways inhibition control works:

  • Attentional: The ability to resist distractions around you and steer your focus onto tasks that will help achieve your goals.[5]
  • Behavioral: The ability to keep yourself from doing things you know you shouldn’t do. For instance, inhibitory control keeps you from blurting out something inappropriate or having a chocolate donut if you decide to go on a diet.
  • Emotional: The ability to regulate your emotions, influencing how you behave and respond.

Set Shifting

Set shifting is another way of saying task switching.

This function falls back onto your working memory to remember instructions and details related to your current goal. It also involves inhibition control to prevent yourself from being distracted by other tasks.[1]

Set shifting also involves flexible thinking and adapting to changing situations.

People with executive dysfunction may struggle with multitasking, problem-solving, and switching tasks. They may also seem rigid in their thinking.[1]

Planning and Organizing

Planning is considered a higher-level executive function. These high-level functions rely on the basic components of executive functioning discussed above, such as working memory, task switching, and attention regulation.

Planning requires a person to break down their goals into smaller steps in the right order. It also utilizes your working memory, which stores the information needed to finish tasks.

With executive dysfunction, a person may not know where to start or what to do next. This can lead to procrastination or ADHD paralysis.

Decision-Making or Reasoning

Decision-making is another high-level executive function.

The brain needs to manage emotions, inhibit impulsive choices, and compare the possible rewards or outcomes of different decisions.[6]

Problem-Solving

Finding solutions to problems requires various executive functions.

This includes being able to prioritize, control your attention, and manage your impulses. Some challenges will also require you to handle your emotions and manage your time well.

Time Management 

Time management is also a high-level executive function that requires varying skills. It involves prioritization and planning ahead. It also requires you to pace yourself, allocate your time wisely, and keep track of due dates.

Since ADHD can affect time management, many adult ADHDers find it challenging to be on time and meet deadlines.

Though executive dysfunction can pose a unique set of challenges, adults who receive proper support and treatment can often overcome them and reach their daily goals.

Causes & Risk Factors of Executive Dysfunction

Executive dysfunction doesn’t happen on its own. It’s usually linked to underlying conditions or external factors that affect how the brain regulates your thoughts and behaviors.

Some possible causes of executive dysfunction include:[7][8]

  • Neurodevelopmental conditions: These conditions alter how the brain develops. ADHD, autism, and learning disorders like dyslexia are all conditions that can cause executive function issues.
  • Psychiatric conditions: These conditions affect your mental health. Examples include depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia. 
  • Neurological or medical conditions: Neurological conditions change the way your brain and nervous system function. Executive dysfunction may be linked to dementia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury. 
  • Lifestyle and external factors: External factors like long-term stress, sleep disorders, and substance misuse can impact the way your brain functions. 

Researchers are still trying to understand the exact causes of executive dysfunction. But current evidence suggests that these few factors may contribute to its development.

Executive Dysfunction and ADHD

Many experts agree that executive function challenges represent some of the core ways ADHD affects a person.[9]

If you have ADHD, you may notice that you struggle with problems related to executive functions, such as memory, attention, and organization.[10]

Some overlaps between executive dysfunction and ADHD include:

  • Getting distracted when completing tasks
  • Struggling to organize a schedule, activities, and work materials
  • Forgetting important dates, meetings, or appointments
  • Showing up late to meetings and appointments
  • Losing essential items needed for work or daily activities
  • Lacking the motivation to do certain tasks

A person with ADHD will likely experience some or more of the above symptoms.

Is Executive Dysfunction a Symptom of ADHD?

Executive dysfunction is not an official symptom of ADHD. However, if you experience signs of executive dysfunction, this may suggest that you have ADHD or another medical condition, such as autism.

And though they overlap in many ways, executive function disorder does not refer to ADHD, and vice versa.

There are various differences between these terms.

For instance, ADHD is an official diagnosis that a specialist can make. Meanwhile, executive function disorder isn’t a stand-alone diagnosis – it can be caused by many conditions.

Other differences between the two include how they’re detected and managed.

For example, ADHD appears in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), a globally recognized guide that helps mental health professionals make more accurate diagnoses.

In the DSM-5, ADHD is considered an official medical disorder with a specified set of criteria a person needs to meet to be diagnosed. In contrast, executive function disorder is not in the DSM-5.

Executive Function Diagnosis

Since executive function disorder isn’t a stand-alone medical condition, you cannot get a diagnosis for it. However, your doctor can investigate to find out the underlying cause behind it. They may also assess its severity and how significantly your daily life is impacted by any executive dysfunction.

Your specialist may ask you about the symptoms you experience, specifically around planning, organization, multitasking, problem-solving, impulsivity, or focus.[1]

Apart from that, your specialist may also carry out executive functioning tests that assess specific skills like working memory or inhibition control.

For instance, the Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS) can be used to evaluate the executive functioning of adults over a period of time.[11]

Executive Function Therapy and Other Treatments

The type of treatment recommended for executive dysfunction depends on its underlying cause. It’s important that you consult a mental health specialist who can recommend a management plan that suits you best.

Some possible management options include: 

  • Getting treated for ADHD if you have the condition: Getting treated often improves executive functioning. Your specialist may recommend stimulant or non-stimulant medications for ADHD, depending on your medical history and symptoms.
  • ADHD coaching: You can work with an ADHD coach to develop personalized strategies to improve focus, organization, time management, and emotional regulation. 
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): This is a form of therapy that empowers you to identify unhealthy thinking patterns and habits and replace them with helpful ones that get you closer to your goals. This can improve your time management, planning, and organizational skills.[12]
  • Lifestyle adjustments: Examples of these lifestyle changes include exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and managing stress. These can help support executive functioning.

If you’re unsure of the underlying cause, it’s essential to speak with a doctor about your symptoms to receive an accurate diagnosis. This enables them to create a tailored management plan to address the root cause.

Self-Help Strategies for Executive Dysfunction

Here are some practical strategies, tools, and habits that can help you manage executive dysfunction in daily life:

  • Use planners, calendars, or digital apps to keep track of deadlines and appointments
  • Start a to-do list with a digital app or physical journal
  • Use the traffic light system to prioritise tasks (i.e., red = urgent, green = non-urgent)
  • Break large projects into smaller, manageable goals
  • Keep a notepad on your desk to jot down unrelated thoughts and return to them after finishing your task
  • Set digital alarms or reminders for crucial events
  • Build a daily routine for key parts of your day
  • Designate specific spots at home and work for essential items
  • Take shorter but more frequent breaks to prevent burnout and maintain focus
  • Request written instructions for complex tasks
  • Keep trackers or Airtags on important belongings 
  • Set digital reminders or alarms for crucial events
  • Automate bill payments to ensure they get paid on time

You don’t need to start using all of these strategies at once. Choose two or three that you think will be most effective for you, and implement them in your daily life. 

Once they become habits, you can gradually add more modifications to improve your workflow, focus, and memory.

Executive Function Challenges And ADHD Go Hand-In-Hand

If you’ve been diagnosed with ADHD, you don’t have to give up on your goals. The right support and treatment can help you improve your life skills – like getting organized, planning for the future, and focusing on what matters.

You can talk to your doctor about current medication plans or the possibility of getting cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). An adult ADHD coach can also help you improve specific areas, such as time management and prioritization.

Understanding the unique ways your ADHD brain works, you can experiment with new approaches to organizing your life. Simple strategies and tools can help you get things done and stay on track.

With a proper management plan, you’ll set yourself up for success in your career, academics, and relationships!

If you aren’t sure whether ADHD is responsible for your executive function challenges, take the ADDA Adult ADHD test. This questionnaire provides a better understanding of ADHD and can give you the confidence to take the next step – to speak to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment.

Getting Help for ADHD Executive Dysfunction

Medications, therapy, and ADHD coaching can make a significant difference for adult ADHDers with executive dysfunction. 

You can also incorporate practical strategies into your day-to-day to help with these symptoms. Examples include having a daily schedule or to-do list. 

If you’re looking for resources on other practical ways you can manage executive dysfunction in ADHD, check out ADDA+. 

This online platform provides access to expert-led materials, courses, and webinars on managing the symptoms of adult ADHD. It also allows you to connect with other ADHDers who can offer advice and tips on improving your focus, memory, and planning skills. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is executive functioning in ADHD?

Executive dysfunction in ADHD refers to the set of symptoms an ADHDer has because of a disruption in their ability to regulate their thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. This can lead to symptoms like poor memory, low motivation, lack of focus, and trouble planning and organizing. 

What causes executive dysfunction?

Scientists and experts are not entirely sure of the cause of executive dysfunction. It’s important to note that having symptoms of executive dysfunction does not mean that you have ADHD. While it might be a sign of ADHD, it is also commonly linked to other conditions like autism, depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), or traumatic brain injury.[1]

What are the symptoms of executive dysfunction disorder?

Symptoms of executive dysfunction include poor organizational and planning skills, lack of focus, and difficulty remembering details. Additionally, symptoms may include impulsive decision-making and difficulty with task-switching and multitasking. Individuals may also have trouble regulating their emotions and finding the motivation to get things done. 

What is the 30% rule for ADHD?

The 30% rule estimates the delay ADHDers may experience in developing their executive function skills compared to peers of the same age. It suggests that those with ADHD may be around 30% behind their peers without the condition. While this isn’t scientifically proven to be true, it can give people a better idea of the executive challenges faced by those with ADHD. 

References

[1] Martínez-Pernía, D., Olavarría, L., Fernández-Manjón, B., Cabello, V., Henríquez, F., Robert, P., Alvarado, L., Barría, S., Antivilo, A., Velasquez, J., Cerda, M., Farías, G., Torralva, T., Ibáñez, A., Parra, M. A., Gilbert, S., & Slachevsky, A. (2023). The limitations and challenges in the assessment of executive dysfunction associated with real-world functioning: The opportunity of serious games. Applied neuropsychology. Adult, 1–17. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/23279095.2023.2174438

[2] de la Peña, I. C., Pan, M. C., Thai, C. G., & Alisso, T. (2020). Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Predominantly Inattentive Subtype/Presentation: Research Progress and Translational Studies. Brain sciences, 10(5), 292. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci10050292

[3] Rodas, J. A., Leon-Rojas, J., & Rooney, B. (2024). Mind over mood: exploring the executive function’s role in downregulation. Frontiers in psychology, 15, 1322055. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1322055

[4] Hartley, T., & Hitch, G. (2022, October 19). Working Memory. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Psychology. Retrieved 28 Nov. 2024, from https://oxfordre.com/psychology/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190236557.001.0001/acrefore-9780190236557-e-768. 

[5] van Moorselaar, D., & Slagter, H. A. (2020). Inhibition in selective attention. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1464(1), 204–221. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14304

[6] Colautti, L., Antonietti, A., & Iannello, P. (2022). Executive Functions in Decision Making under Ambiguity and Risk in Healthy Adults: A Scoping Review Adopting the Hot and Cold Executive Functions Perspective. Brain sciences, 12(10), 1335. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12101335

[7] Otterman, D. L., Koopman-Verhoeff, M. E., White, T. J., Tiemeier, H., Bolhuis, K., & Jansen, P. W. (2019). Executive functioning and neurodevelopmental disorders in early childhood: a prospective population-based study. Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health, 13, 38. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-019-0299-7

[8] Kraft, B., Bø, R., Jonassen, R., Heeren, A., Ulset, V. S., Stiles, T. C., & Landrø, N. I. (2023). The Association between Depression Symptoms and Reduced Executive Functioning Is Primarily Linked by Fatigue. Psychiatry Research Communications, 3(2), 100120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psycom.2023.100120

[9] Roselló, B., Berenguer, C., Baixauli, I., Mira, Á., Martinez-Raga, J., & Miranda, A. (2020). Empirical examination of executive functioning, ADHD associated behaviors, and functional impairments in adults with persistent ADHD, remittent ADHD, and without ADHD. BMC psychiatry, 20(1), 134. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02542-y

[10] Silverstein, M. J., Faraone, S. V., Leon, T. L., Biederman, J., Spencer, T. J., & Adler, L. A. (2020). The Relationship Between Executive Function Deficits and DSM-5-Defined ADHD Symptoms. Journal of attention disorders, 24(1), 41–51. https://doi.org/10.1177/1087054718804347

[11] Kamradt, J. M., Nikolas, M. A., Burns, G. L., Garner, A. A., Jarrett, M. A., Luebbe, A. M., & Becker, S. P. (2021). Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS): Validation in a Large Multisite College Sample. Assessment, 28(3), 964–976. https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191119869823

[12] William, S., Horrocks, M., Richmond, J., Hall, C. L., & French, B. (2024). Experience of CBT in adults with ADHD: a mixed methods study. Frontiers in psychiatry, 15, 1341624. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1341624

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