Executive function, executive dysfunction and hoarding with Dr Jan Eppingstall

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Today, Dr. Jan Eppingstall is here to shed light on the connection between executive function, executive dysfunction, and hoarding behaviour. We explore how executive function impacts our ability to organise and declutter our living spaces and uncover the challenges individuals face when it comes to decision-making, mental flexibility, and working memory. We'll also discuss strategies for improving executive function and overcoming the obstacles that hoarding behaviour presents.

Depression and health conditions can impair focus
Nervous shutdown and self-compassion during stress
Trick yourself into starting
Network atrophies when not engaged
Issue with sticking to tasks due to desire for novelty
Reducing food shops, using what's in cupboards
Procrastination hinders progress, but changing behaviours helps
Mental flexibility essential
Flexible thinking in shopping, problem solving, creativity
Executive dysfunction hinders organisation; hoarding makes it harder
Lack of experience in decision-making, cutting corners
Perspective and help are important when organising
Lack of space hinders planning
Executive functions affects losing things
Fear of loss worsens clutter
See-through boxes and labels
Mindset affects executive function, self-care is crucial
Many conditions cause brain fog and difficulty focusing
Understanding our executive functions helps us manage stress, improve awareness, and leverage strengths
Reflection can inform future behaviour
Nervous system shuts down, could be triggered by dissociation
Engaging in tasks helps people focus and enter a flow state
Perfectionism = rigid thinking, efforts towards being more flexible
Trying to organise a hoard is destined to fail
Can we reassure ourselves when we put things away?
Minimise visual distractions, motivation to improve surroundings
Take care of your mind, believe in yourself, and prioritie self-care for better executive function
Is difficulty organising due to executive function issues or the sheer quantity of items?
Difficulty getting rid of things once they are brought into the home due to the endowment effect
Suggestions for improving working memory through mental maths and storytelling memory games
Identifying triggers and strategies for preventing or dealing with shutdowns
Practicing self-compassion and reducing stress for better action-taking
Introduction of the task positive network (TPN) and flow state during tasks
Downsides of hyperfocus and its impact on cognitive attention
Weakening or atrophy of the TPN due to lack of exercise
How depression, autoimmune diseases, and long COVID can impact executive functioning
Unique perception and organization of belongings for individuals on the autism spectrum
Planning skills and lack of space as potential barriers

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