What is Time Blindness? (and how to manage it!)

Inside: Learn what time blindness is, what conditions are most affected by time blindness, and how to manage it successfully.

Time blindness is a phenomenon in which individuals struggle to accurately perceive and manage time.

I have this friend, and I adore her. But watching her husband struggle has been painful at times. See, every two to three years, he gets fired from his job. He is now diagnosed with ADHD and extreme deficits in executive functioning. And, he has really bad time blindness.

So he’d apply for and get a job. Then, his skill deficits would get the better of him, and he’d make mistakes at work. Mistake after mistake after mistake. And they’d fire him.

Because let’s face it–executive function deficits cause people to forget to do things, be disorganized, and so on.

And his time blindness was crucial because he was expected to perform tasks within a given time frame.

Once he was accurately diagnosed, he began working with an executive functioning coach and is able to maintain employment and meet his job’s responsibilities.

1. Time Blindness

People with time blindness often have difficulty accurately estimating how long tasks will take, and struggle to stay on task for extended periods of time. They may also struggle with punctuality, often arriving late to appointments or events, or completing tasks past their deadline.

It is a common issue among individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but can also affect individuals with other conditions or individuals who simply struggle with time management.

This can lead to a variety of negative consequences, including missed opportunities, strained relationships, and difficulty in academic or work settings.

There are several factors that contribute to time blindness. One key factor is difficulty with working memory, which is the ability to hold and manipulate information in the mind for short periods of time.

Individuals with ADHD often struggle with working memory, which can make it difficult for them to keep track of multiple tasks or deadlines.

Another factor is the tendency to hyperfocus on certain tasks or activities. When an individual with time blindness becomes engrossed in a particular task, they may lose track of time and neglect other important tasks or deadlines.

Additionally, the brain’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, can be disrupted in individuals with time blindness. This can cause difficulty in establishing a regular sleep schedule, which can further exacerbate issues with time management.

2. ADHD Time Blindness

Time blindness is a cognitive difficulty that can be associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It refers to a difficulty with accurately perceiving and managing time, which can lead to difficulties with planning, prioritizing, and completing tasks.

Individuals with ADHD may struggle with time blindness due to their difficulty with sustaining attention, regulating impulses, and managing executive functions. They may have difficulty estimating the amount of time required for tasks, accurately tracking time, and effectively prioritizing their activities.

For example, an individual with ADHD may underestimate the time required for a task, leading to procrastination or an inability to complete the task within the allotted time frame.

Alternatively, they may become hyperfocused on a specific activity, losing track of time and neglecting other important tasks.

Time blindness can have a significant impact on the academic, occupational, and social functioning of individuals with ADHD. It can lead to increased stress, decreased productivity, and difficulties with meeting deadlines or maintaining schedules.

Treatment for ADHD-related time blindness typically involves a combination of medication, behavioral strategies, and cognitive interventions. Start with your family doctor or whoever diagnosed your ADHD, and ask for their treatment recommendations.

Behavioral strategies may include techniques such as time management, prioritization, and goal-setting, while cognitive interventions may involve working with a therapist to improve executive function skills such as attention, working memory, and planning.

3. Symptoms of Time Blindness

When I was a teacher, one year I had this student who always showed up to school super early. As in, like 2 hours early. So early the administration was concerned and asked me to speak to her.

Turns out, her EF skills and time blindness were so poor, that she truly did not know how to get to school on time. It was either super early or late or not at all.

Time blindness can manifest in a variety of ways and can have a significant impact on an individual’s ability to effectively manage their time. Some common symptoms of time blindness include:

1. Difficulty estimating the amount of time required for tasks: Individuals with time blindness may struggle to accurately gauge the amount of time required for a specific task, leading to procrastination or an inability to complete the task within the allotted time frame.
2. Difficulty with planning and prioritization: Time blindness can make it challenging for individuals to effectively plan and prioritize their activities, leading to difficulties with meeting deadlines or completing important tasks.
3. Inability to maintain schedules: Individuals with time blindness may struggle to adhere to schedules or maintain a consistent routine, which can lead to increased stress and decreased productivity.
4. Chronic lateness: Individuals with time blindness may frequently arrive late to appointments or events, as they may struggle to accurately estimate the time required to get ready or travel to a specific location. Conversely, they may always be too early to arrive, as they cannot effectively manage time.
5. Procrastination: Time blindness can contribute to a tendency to procrastinate, as individuals may struggle to accurately estimate the amount of time required for a specific task and may therefore delay getting started.
6. Hyperfixations: Individuals with time blindness may become hyperfocused on a specific activity, losing track of time and neglecting other important tasks or responsibilities.

It is important to note that these symptoms can be indicative of a range of cognitive difficulties and mental health conditions, and a thorough assessment is necessary to determine the underlying cause of time blindness.

4. Other Disorders Associated With Time Blindness

Time blindness is often associated with ADHD, and often co-exists with ADHD. However, it is not exclusive to ADHD.

Time blindness is a cognitive difficulty that can be associated with a range of mental health conditions, including:

1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Time blindness is a common symptom of ADHD, which is characterized by difficulties with attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.
2. Depression: Individuals with depression may struggle with time management and organization, leading to difficulties with completing tasks and meeting deadlines.
3. Anxiety: Anxiety can lead to difficulties with time perception and awareness, making it challenging to accurately estimate the time required for tasks or events.
4. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Individuals with OCD may struggle with time blindness due to their preoccupation with specific routines or rituals, which can interfere with their ability to accurately gauge the passage of time.
5. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Time blindness is a common difficulty experienced by individuals with ASD, who may struggle with understanding abstract concepts like time and planning.
6. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Individuals who have experienced a TBI may struggle with time blindness due to the impact of the injury on cognitive processes like attention and memory.

It is important to note that time blindness can also occur independently of any mental health condition, and can be a result of factors such as stress, fatigue, or poor sleep habits.

5. How to Manage Time Blindness

There are several strategies that can help individuals with time blindness to better manage their time, including the use of visual aids, breaking tasks into smaller steps, using routines, prioritizing tasks, and seeking support from a mental health professional.

These strategies include:

1. Using visual aids: Visual aids such as calendars, visual timers, and clocks can be helpful in providing a visual representation of time. For example, using a timer to break tasks into manageable chunks can help individuals with time blindness to stay focused and on task.
2. Breaking tasks into smaller steps: Breaking larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can help individuals with time blindness to stay on track and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
3. Using routines: Establishing a regular routine can help individuals with time blindness to establish a regular sleep schedule and reduce disruptions to the circadian rhythm.
4. Prioritizing tasks: Prioritizing tasks can help individuals with time blindness to focus on the most important tasks and avoid becoming sidetracked by less important tasks.
5. Seeking support: Individuals with time blindness may benefit from seeking support from a mental health professional, who can provide guidance on time management strategies and help to address any underlying mental health issues that may be contributing to time blindness.

With the right support and strategies, individuals with time blindness can learn to manage their time more effectively and achieve their goals.

6. Time Blind

I can speak about this issue firsthand–that is, the issue of a person’s skill deficits being treated as a character flaw. Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, with undiagnosed ADHD, I was treated as lazy and unmotivated. Too “flighty” and “can’t make a decision” or “stay focused.”

I can’t even count the number of times I heard, “She’s smart, if only she’d work up to her full potential!” (Duh, I am 2E, which no one heard of in the 1970s.)

While I’m not time blind, many people with time blindness are treated as lazy and uncaring, discourteous individuals As in, “He doesn’t care enough to be on time.”

The reality is that time-blind people need support and accommodations to manage this. And, self-awareness is key.

If you’ve been told your whole life that you are lazy and careless, you start to believe it. It’s not until someone shows you the light, that you see a path out.

I hope that you, your child, or the person in your life who brought you to this article…. get the support they need to regain confidence and manage their time. Good luck!