"Time Blindness" in ADHD

Information for Neurotypicals on how ADHD People Understand Time Differently

Time Agnosia or time blindness is a real ADHD thing. Most neurotypical people do not understand it, so rather than providing support, they judge and shame people with ADHD for this issue.

All people with ADHD will suffer less discrimination if there is an understanding of this issue. I'm not particularly fond of the term time blindness because ADHD people feel time differently and are not necessarily "blind" to time.

Why do people with ADHD perceive time differently?

Temporal processing occurs in the brain, and this issue appears to be related to structures in the brain of people with ADHD and dopamine deficiencies. Additionally, there is evidence that circadian rhythms play a role in time blindness as well.

How do people with ADHD perceive time differently?

ADHD people shift between past, present, and future differently. They feel the present more intensely than their neurotypical peers, often referred to as "now, not now".

During the day, they may feel an hour longer or shorter than a neurotypical person, so time is not " sensed". This can lead to losing track of time during the day. Additionally, they have a short time horizon referred to as future myopia. For example, when a test paper is due, they may have difficulty planning for it because they don't feel it's due until the day before. They can't " feel" the importance of things in the future. 

As a neurotypical friend or family member of an ADHD person, you may have difficulty understanding these different perceptions of time your ADHD loved one has.

When an ADHD woman is late or struggles to prioritize tasks, it's not because she doesn't care but because her behavior is often labeled and judged as inconsiderate.

Many of my clients do not even understand how they experience time differently than others or how to help themselves when they have been taught that they are deficient, lazy, irresponsible or selfish.

What tasks are impacted by ADHD time perception?

Adhder's ability to do any tasks that require telling time is impacted.

Most of our day hinges upon a neurotypical understanding of time. Feeling time differently makes every day a challenge.

Any activity where you must ask, "How long do things take?" will be challenging.

These include:

• Planning the day

• Getting to appointments

• Having routines

• Getting enough sleep

• Accomplish daily tasks at home and at work

• Doing household chores

• Making meals

• Caring for children

• Meeting friends and family

Issues with time have social consequences that hurt friendships, cause crises and create anxiety.

Strategies for supporting ADHD people

Some strategies are available to help with time blindness, including externalizing cues for time, like timers, analog clocks, and reminders. Some methods will work, and some won't. It's very individualized. These accommodations help an ADHD person feel time more like a neurotypical person. Yet they always have to work twice as hard to live in a world that doesn't feel time like they do. They do this knowing that the consequences will be severe if they fail. How challenging!

The more significant problem I see is the general lack of compassion and support for ADHD people. ADHD women, in particular, who are more stigmatized and struggle for years without help, are harmed by this. 

During these years, they are told they are flawed, damaged, and unworthy, and layers of shame, anxiety, and depression pile up.

If you love a woman with ADHD, I hope learning about "time blindness" can help you personalize her behavior less and provide more support.