LA Wildfires: Crisis and Sorrow and the Impact on Executive Functioning

It's a devastating moment to be an Angeleno, I’ve planted deep roots in this city ever since I moved here 25 years ago. I know that I am being deeply impacted by what's happening in the city and can tell that my executive functioning skills aren't operating at full capacity. I have to work harder to concentrate on tasks, my brain is drifting a bit more when I am listening, and I am having trouble prioritizing what needs to be done for the day. While working through this tragedy I can tell I am not the only one.

In A Crisis the Frontal Lobes Shut Down

What I’ve noticed in this past week is that everyone has some challenges with their executive management skills. The challenge varies depending on just how sad and scared someone feels. Some have lost their homes, some are evacuated, and all are sad and scared. Executive functioning is the brain functions we use to organize ourselves, manage tasks, and utilize our time effectively. This ability comes from our wonderful frontal lobes.

When another part of our brain, such as our amygdala (emotional functioning) or the limbic system (survival instincts), are primarily activated, it is near impossible for our frontal lobes to perform. For those of us who call Los Angeles home, it's safe to say that the amygdala and limbic system are currently running the show. 

It gets even worse for those who have lost their home or business, or are currently evacuated. If this is you, you may find that you cannot focus, you are overwhelmed easily by information, you wake up and cannot make decisions on how or what to get done, or you often don’t know what tasks are priority. All of that is happening because your frontal lobes are shut down.

The best way to get the lobes fired up, is to first recognize that you won’t be able to function like yourself at this moment. You’re still in it, the situation remains ongoing. And even once the fires die down, processing the losses still remain. But processing these types of events takes time, and there are things to do now.

It’s Time to Ask for Help

It’s time to Ask for Help

Asking a friend to help with executive functioning skills may also help them feel better too.

I know how hard it is to ask for help, I really do, but really consider calling on a trusted friend or family member to help carry the executive functioning load. It can be so hard to recognize our limits even in normal times, but truly it is important to do so now. 

Here are a few suggestions on how people can help you with executive functioning skills:

        1. Time Management: Decrease your time management demands by asking a friend to pick up things you need from the store or donation center.

        2. Simple Tasks:  Decrease your overwhelm by asking a friend to research something for you online (even if it’s something you think is easy)

        3. It’s Okay to Say No:  Decrease your frazzled state by being able to ask for meal delivery or grocery vouchers rather than having to go out to meals. While going to lunch with a friend during this time may help, it may also be too much at times. If you’d rather say “no thank you” it’s important to do so. Having lunch while thinking of all the things you “should” be doing only creates a state of stress, your brain doesn’t need that right now.

        4.  Say Your “To Do” List Out loud: Talking your daily “to do list” through with your partner or friend will also help you to feel more organized. Reviewing out loud what you are doing for the day often helps solidify a plan. If you have it in you, you can try to break your day into AM and PM duties. But this may also be more than you can do at this time. That’s okay.

        5.   Ground Your Emotions:  Increase executive functioning by regulating your emotions. Try to note your current state. Are you running on all 6 cylinders? Try to bring it down just a notch with a deep breath. Really any coping skill you have can be used to just slow yourself down. This will help ground you so you can think.

        6.   Connect To Officials:  Utilizing government officials' help can also help you understand more clearly what resources are available to you and the next step. Insurance officials and FEMA representatives are having in person opportunities to get help.

        7.   Ask Volunteers for Help: Volunteers at donation centers can help you find things in your size and direct you to areas where you can find what you need easily. You can tell someone you are struggling and need a more hands-on approach. Try to not be embarrassed with helping strangers. 

        8.  Remember Your Basic Needs: Finally remember your basic needs of sleep and food. You may be under-eating and under sleeping. Try to get your basic needs back on track. In reality this is priority number one. There are so many things you can ask someone to help you with so you can meet these needs.

Lots of people are thinking of you during this time and would prefer you to protect your mental health. You will be forever changed but you will not forever be in crisis. And luckily everyone has someone they can call on. I hope you are able to put any shame aside during this time and get the help you need.