My executive functioning has been improving since self-identification, but it remains the main reason for self-esteem problems in any area of my life. ED makes me feel like an imposter. It's the reason I've never really been able to make the most my talents. It's the reason for many lost friendships. And it makes it hard to trust that I will be able to provide for myself in the future. I go through periods where I can barely do anything. I fear that my executive functioning will never be where it needs to be in order for me to have healthy self-image and self-esteem.

Beyond self-image, I fear that my executive function problems mean that I'll never achieve basic security on a survival level. The stress of financial, material, and health insecurity due to executive dysfunction makes me feel like I am on too low a level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs to reach for self-esteem or self-actualization. I know that the hierarchy of needs is artificial and that I am allowed to reach for self-esteem and self-actualization regardless of whether my security needs are met, but I also suspect that the process is harder for me due to how much energy I spend on executive tasks and worrying about not being able to do executive tasks.

What about you? How does executive function/dysfunction impact your self-image and self-esteem?

Share questions:

• How does executive function/dysfunction affect your self-image? Self-esteem? 
• Do you feel that material, financial, and health insecurity from low executive function has its own impact on your self-image, self-esteem, and self-esteem journey? Please describe.
  
• How does executive dysfunction affect your ability to self-care? How does it affect your values? Your relationships with other individuals and groups?
  
• For members whose self-image has improved in regards to executive function since identification, how did it happen? What helped? In which areas do you still struggle? 
• Any tools, strategies, or resources to share? 
• Anything else to add?

(No need to read out loud) Here is a sample of Maslow's hierarchy of needs for members who are curious: