ADHD and Time Blindness: Signs and Symptoms

Ever watch the clock fly by. Or, does it feel like time is slowing and everything is dragging? If so, you might be experiencing time blindness. Time blindness blocks people from understanding the passage of  time. Since time blindness is not a diagnosable disorder in and of itself, it is difficult to estimate how many people suffer from it. However, studies suggest that a significant number of people with ADHD or ASD experience difficulties with time perception and management, which can manifest as time blindness in some cases.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 6.1 million children in the United States have been diagnosed with ADHD, and the prevalence of ASD is estimated to be around 1 in 54 children. It is important to note, however, that not all individuals with these conditions experience time blindness, and the severity and impact of time perception difficulties can vary widely between individuals.

Objective time refers to the duration of time as measured by a clock. Time is what connects us, it’s what we all agree on as a society.

Subjective time, on the other hand, refers to an individual’s perception of time. It is influenced by a variety of factors, such as attention, emotion, and age, and can vary from person to person. For example, time may seem to pass more quickly when engaged in an enjoyable activity, and more slowly when bored or anxious.

Signs and symptoms of time blindness

Common signs of time blindness are underestimating time. For instance, you might estimate that cleaning the house, walking the dog and grabbing the groceries should only take about an hr. When in reality those tasks take you 4 hours. 

Procrastinating can be another symptom of time blindness. Sometimes when one is procrastinating they are pushing off feelings of overwhelm and therefore not starting anything. Or may be feeling the fear of failure. 

Difficulty with planning and avoiding making plans can be another symptom of time blindness.

A few more worth mentioning:

• Struggling to manage time and prioritize tasks effectively
• Impulsivity and difficulty resisting distractions
• Forgetting or missing deadlines, appointments, or important events
• Difficulty following through on long-term goals or projects
• Frequently running late or arriving unprepared to meetings or events
• Feeling overwhelmed or frustrated with time management issues
• Being easily bored or restless when working on tedious or repetitive tasks.

With time blindness it can be difficult to get daily tasks completed. Productivity could sink because it’s so challenging to stay on track. These symptoms can have many repercussions from relationships, to career and wellbeing.

Strategies for managing time blindness

The good thing is there are many tools to help keep those who suffer from time blindness. 

• Start with a time tracker like Rescutime or Clockify. These will help you understand how long you have to spend on a certain task. What gets measured gets improved! 
• Try to time box by using your phone to set times, 15 mins to clean the bathroom, 1 hour to browse social media. 
• Break tasks into more manageable pieces. If you have to clean the house. Tackle one room at a time. If you need to pack for travel. Break and list it. IE Clothes, Toiletries, Tech, Documents. There’s app options for that too, like Any.do or Todoist.

Tips for implementing these strategies in daily life

Seeking professional help

There is professional help available for those who are struggling with ADHD and time blindness. As time blindness is not a specific diagnosis, but rather a symptom or characteristic of other conditions, there is no single treatment that is effective for all cases. Treatment for time perception difficulties may vary depending on the underlying condition causing the symptoms, as well as the severity and impact of the individual’s difficulties.

For individuals with ADHD, treatment options may include medication, behavioral therapy, and organizational strategies. Medications such as stimulants may help to improve attention and focus, which can in turn improve time perception and management. Behavioral therapy may involve teaching individuals strategies for planning, prioritizing, and organizing their time, as well as developing routines and schedules to improve time management skills.

For individuals with ASD, treatment options may include behavioral therapy, sensory integration therapy, and social skills training. Behavioral therapy may involve teaching individuals strategies for time management and organization, as well as addressing other behaviors that may interfere with time perception and management. Sensory integration therapy may help to address sensory processing difficulties that can contribute to time perception difficulties. Social skills training may help individuals develop social awareness and perspective-taking skills, which can be helpful for understanding the concept of time in social contexts.

Time Blindness affects a lot of people. It can make everyday more challenging, but the good thing is that with some intention and practice you can manage your time effectively.