Hi, everyone- Executive function deficits are becoming a real issue for me and I’m looking for information on how to deal with them. I consider myself to be in remission from my OCD but I can’t seem to get anything done. It feels like I’m just spinning my wheels at work and around the house. For a while I though I might have adhd in addition to OCD but the research seems to show that the two rarely occur together. They are really causing me issues at work and I don’t even know where to begin looking for help.

allitta

Date posted: 4y

I am so unhappy with my focus either. At work I just don’t feel like doing much, bare minimum. And then it bothers me somewhat, and I seek re-assurance or re-assure myself. Once I am in good mood and not obsessed, my executive function gets back. And then lost again.

ClearMind20

Date posted: 4y

Have you ever found anything that helps (aside from the intrusive thoughts subsiding)? I had a real bad flare up a couple years ago that was pretty debilitating but even after getting it under control I feel like my ability to guide my focus is almost non-existent. Which is a real problem because my job requires a significant amount of focus and self guided work. This has all been made worse by the pandemic since I have been working from home and have very little accountability. All of this really affects my self-esteem

allitta

Date posted: 4y

@ClearMind20 I have not. I do less and have been getting away with this so far, although it bothers me. I very much want to restore my focus.

allitta

Date posted: 4y

@ClearMind20 I feel like taking a break or leave, and feel that sometime off work would help. But who knows. I have been working at my job for 16 years and I lost interest, but I still need to earn money. So I am not sure from where this lack of focus comes - from ocd or from lack of interest, or both

allitta

Date posted: 4y

I also once thought that I have adhd, and also dropped that idea

allitta

Date posted: 4y

I realized that I do see some solutions and I work towards them. I use Headspace app now, and doing 10 days productivity course there. This app helps to train and retrain mind to direct focus, not to chase thoughts, let go of thoughts, to accept, not resist, relax, etc. I started using it two months ago and now I am more aware of what I am thinking about, I note when I do rumination or mental reviewing and let go of that, at least trying, and succeed in 50 percent or so so far. I have been doing guided meditations daily from Headspace for two months. I am hopeful that with regular use my mind will get trained in those things. I love being productive, but ocd often takes over fooling with a sense of urgency that I need to figure out something that distracts me from what I want to do. In general, I juggle many things- family, job, kids, marriage, friends, personal finance, self care and fitness, house, investments, but I know that I waiste too much time and focus on what ocd calls for. I want to change that and it is the goal of all my inner workings now, including ERP therapy that I believe is making things worse before it gets better.

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