Executive dysfunction

From Psy3242

Executive Dysfunction. The term “executive functioning” refers to mental processes involved in goal-directed activity. The executive functions are found in the frontal lobes of the brain. If one has damage to the frontal lobes then they are considered to have an executive dysfunction. The frontal lobes are found in the front part of the brain. People with frontal lobe injuries seem to have a difficult time with the higher level processing described by the executive functions. The frontal cortex develops slower than other parts of the brain and, as you will notice later, many of the executive functions do not develop completely until the teen years.

As the name 'executive' implies the term executive function describes some cognitive abilities that control other abilities and behaviors. They are needed to perform goal-directed behavior, to initiate and stop actions, to change behavior as needed, and to plan future behaviors. These behaviors are the basis for any thing to act normally. Executive functions are necessary for manage the stresses of every day life. They also allow people to inhibit bad behaviors.

People with executive dysfunctions may have problems interacting with other people because they might say or do things that seem inappropriate or offensive to others. Executive dysfunctions are shown in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, schizophrenia, attention-deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism. People who are antisocial as well as heavy users of drugs and alcohol also show symptoms of executive dysfunctions.