ADHD & Time Blindness
It’s hard for people who have ADHD to be on time or even move with the concept of time. For people like me who have ADHD, Our perception of time — or lack thereof — lays the foundation for our biggest struggles. It seems like it should be a simple concept and Neurotypical people may wonder why looking at your phone or a clock is so hard, but time-blindness is just another example of an executive dysfunction that comes from having ADHD.
Time blindness is a term coined by doctors who treat people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Dr. Ari Tuckman, a Pennsylvania-based psychologist who specializes in ADHD, said adults typically develop an innate awareness of time and an ability to track its passing.
For people with ADHD, intentions and actions don’t always line up. We experience an agonizing dissonance between the self we know and the person our actions present to the world.
Do you feel extra anxious about committing to meet at certain times?
Do you feel guilty when you’re inevitably late?
Do you hyperfocus on something and don’t realize 5 hours have gone by?
Have you showed up for a doctors appointment on the wrong day?
Do deadlines, even when very far in the future, give you anxiety?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Having issues with the concept of time can be really detrimental to relationships and it can be hard for people to understand that showing up late doesn’t mean that a person doesn’t care or is inconsiderate. Time-blindness isn’t an excuse, it’s an explanation.
Some people who have struggled with time-blindness and have struggled with feeling extremely frustrated and disappointed with themselves may put a lot of stress on being on time that their anxiety about being late drives them to over-prepare and show up extremely early. Some might even get too focused on the time that it distracts them from what they need to do.
Did you know one reason people with ADHD struggle at work is because of their perception of time? Deadlines can be hard to meet and managing your plate can be difficult due to poor time management skills.
There are some things that can help. People with ADHD may rely more on physical reminders than neurotypicals. Using note-pads, sticky notes, calendars, clocks, and alarm clocks can help manage time-blindness.
