The gruesome twosome are very helpful, if controversial:
- get enough sleep
- get regular exercise (most days of the week)
Ask HN: Has anyone been able to overcome crippling executive dysfunction?
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Re: Ask HN: Has anyone been able to overcome crippling executive dysfunction?
#12Yeah I’ve had that in various forms through my life. I’m now in probably my best state. One thing that helped was switching from vyvanse to concerta. I don’t know why but vyvanse didn’t really help. It just made me hyper focus on anything but work.
Another is starting a new job. I don’t think I realized how bored or burnt out I was until I left and joined a new company.
Other than that all the basics: sleep, food, and exercise.
But it’s hard when it gets bad. The only other advice is have a good therapist and psychiatrist that you trust.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone been able to overcome crippling executive dysfunction?
#13No. Getting worse with time as well. I recently decided to double up on my Vyvanse dose (without telling my doctor), and that was effective. For a day.
This is terrifying for me, how are you handling it? I don't think I can live like this, I am so behind on everything because I can't get myself to do anything.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone been able to overcome crippling executive dysfunction?
#141) diagnose, are you burned out or depressed, or adhd etc? Then 2) treat accordingly, concerta and sleep does wonders for me
I haven't ever worked hard enough because of my executive dysfunction to be worked out, and I am ashamed of that.
Don't have adhd, could be depressed possibly but since this has been a lifelong thing, as long as I have been, can't be sure if i am depressed because of the dysfunction or dysfunctional because of depression.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone been able to overcome crippling executive dysfunction?
#15The gruesome twosome are very helpful, if controversial: - get enough sleep - get regular exercise (most days of the week)
I honestly tried that for the last few months but it did not help at all, and I am back deep in the pit of despair.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone been able to overcome crippling executive dysfunction?
#16Yeah I’ve had that in various forms through my life. I’m now in probably my best state. One thing that helped was switching from vyvanse to concerta. I don’t know why but vyvanse didn’t really help. It just made me hyper focus on anything but work. Another is starting a new job. I don’t think I realized how bored or burnt out I was until I left and joined a new company. Other than that all the basics: sleep, food, an…
I did consult both a therapist and psychiatrist and they tried helping me but with no success, the therapist did refer me to other mental health professionals to get psychological testing done.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone been able to overcome crippling executive dysfunction?
#17Unfortunately, it will likely require hard work on your part rather than relying on pills. One thing that's worked for me is therapy focusing on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Essentially, you identify your goals and values, and then reframe your thinking to question whether what you're doing aligns with those goals and values.
Depending on what you struggle with, try batching tasks. I used to have a long list of things to remember to do regularly (wash up, clear the bench, put the kids' toys away, etc.), and I would often ignore it because it became annoying. All I did was change it to a plain note that I can look at and see if the task was completed, and eventually those tasks became a habit.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone been able to overcome crippling executive dysfunction?
#18I did about 10 years ago but unless my underlying cause was the same as yours I'm not sure it will help.
Anti depressants and vyvanse? Do you have adhd or are you depressed or both? I don't have adhd and mine was caused by depression and life circumstance at the time.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone been able to overcome crippling executive dysfunction?
#19“ Have tried a ton of antidepressants and vyvanse, nothing's worked.”
Could just as easily make it worse. I had gone on a lower dose of an antidepressant and had exactly this problem. I had to go on medical leave until I could get back on my previous dose and stabilize.
Sleep and exercise, especially cardio, are all that worked. The drugs interrupt sleep. They can easily hurt more than help.
Re: Ask HN: Has anyone been able to overcome crippling executive dysfunction?
#20No advice, I just hope you find your way, whatever that may be, to make life work for you. I am sorry you are struggling.