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Therapy in a Nutshell

What is Executive Function - And Why is Executive Dysfunction so bad for Mental Health?

Therapy in a Nutshell

Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam

Mental Health, Education, Health & Fitness:mental Health, Self-improvement, Health & Fitness

4.8658 Ratings

🗓️ 26 July 2024

⏱️ 16 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Executive Function Coach Sean McCormick's Website: https://www.efspecialists.com/ OK, here’s the thing, you (or someone you know) might have been diagnosed with ADHD, Depression, PTSD, or Anxiety, (because like 30% of the US has had a diagnosis like this). Or even more likely, you might struggle with impulse control, or procrastination, or getting stuff done. Maybe you feel overwhelmed or you’re not reaching your goals. And both the internet and professionals are quick to give you a big diagnosis, like ADHD or Anxiety…But what if it might be more helpful to think of it differently? What if we could describe the cause of your symptoms in a much more specific, actionable way? I cannot say it loudly enough how important it is to learn about Executive Function, because when you do you might be amazed to find out that you have a specific name for a specific problem that has a specific set of skills that actually solve that problem. THIS is why we’re going to talk about what the heck is Executive Function and 6 things you can do to improve your Executive Functioning Skills Executive function is a set of mental skills coordinated in the brain’s frontal lobe that sorts through information, delays gratification, manages thoughts and emotions and decides what is most important and helps you take action toward your goals instead of just what you feel like doing. Yeah, it’s pretty darn important. Looking for affordable online counseling? My sponsor, BetterHelp, connects you to a licensed professional from the comfort of your own home. Try it now for 10% off your first month: https://betterhelp.com/therapyinanutshell Learn more in one of my in-depth mental health courses: https://courses.therapyinanutshell.com Support my mission on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/therapyinanutshell Sign up for my newsletter: https://www.therapyinanutshell.com Check out my favorite self-help books: https://kit.co/TherapyinaNutshell/best-self-help-books  Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction. And deeper than all of that, the Gospel of Jesus Christ orients my personal worldview and sense of security, peace, hope, and love https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/comeuntochrist/believe If you are in crisis, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or your local emergency services. Copyright Therapy in a Nutshell, LLC

Transcript

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0:00.0

This is the Therapy in a Nutshell podcast. I'm Emma McAdam, a licensed marriage and family therapist.

0:05.9

These episodes are filled with research-backed therapeutic education that you can start applying in your life today.

0:11.5

I hope you find today's episode beneficial, and if you know of someone who could benefit from this podcast, please don't hesitate to share it.

0:19.0

Let's work together and share tools everyone can use

0:21.5

to help deal with the difficult mental health struggles they're going through.

0:25.7

Each podcast episode comes from a corresponding video.

0:29.0

You can find them on the Therapy in a Nutshell YouTube channel.

0:32.8

Also, these podcasts are educational

0:34.8

and don't replace the advice or direction you may be receiving from

0:39.5

a therapist or other health professionals. Please enjoy the episode. It's almost like you're in

0:46.2

the ocean and you're swimming and waves just keep crashing and you just keep getting stuck and

0:51.0

you can't get out, right? You're just like swimming against these waves and you just keep

0:54.2

getting crushed. That's how people are experiencing the day-to-day life without executive function skills.

0:59.9

Hey, everyone. I'm Emma McAdam. I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist. So here is the thing.

1:05.0

You or someone you know might have been diagnosed with ADHD, depression, PTSD, or anxiety

1:10.8

because like 30% of the US

1:12.8

has had a diagnosis like this.

1:15.4

Or even more likely, you might struggle with impulse control or procrastination or getting stuff

1:20.6

done.

1:21.6

Or maybe you feel overwhelmed, or like you're not reaching your goals.

1:24.9

And both the internet and professionals are quick to give a big

1:28.6

diagnosis like ADHD or anxiety or PTSD. But what if it might be more helpful to think of it

...

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