Highlights
- Time blindness is essentially a time perception issue where people cannot estimate time, past or future, in order to understand how much time a task might take. The result is seen as poor time management.
- To manage time blindness effectively, you need to understand that it is a group of symptoms, not an illness or disability, and usually points towards an underlying condition; as a result, it is essential to diagnose and treat the root cause.
- Managing time blindness is possible with a combination of self-help strategies and other appropriate treatment options chosen by a healthcare professional.
- ADHD time blindness results from poor time perception, which, according to medical reviewers, is a
core symptom [1*] of this disorder.
What Is Time Blindness?
A friend asked me what I am currently writing about, and I mentioned the subject of time blindness. “What is that?” she asked. It’s not just you; this is a term many people have not heard before, so let’s get straight into the topics of time blindness’ meaning, causes, and solutions. Then, if you recognize it in yourself or a loved one, you have a plan for navigating this sometimes challenging situation.
Essentially, time blindness is an abnormality of time perception, often manifesting as difficulties in time management; individuals may seem “blind” to the passage of time.
It is not an official diagnosis in itself. While some individuals may be more disorganized than others, when poor time management interferes with daily functioning, it may signal an underlying physical or mental health issue. This is why it is essential to know what to look for.
The Symptoms of Time Blindness
A group of symptoms make up time blindness, meaning it manifests in several ways; these are the time blindness symptoms to watch out for:
- Difficulty estimating the time needed for specific tasks
- Losing track of time because of hyperfocus on a task
- Trouble planning ahead because of having no concept of time
- Trouble realizing it is time to start or finish a task
Examples of Time Blindness in Daily Life
There are several ways that these distortions of time perception may manifest, and some time blindness examples in everyday life are:
- Failing to meet deadlines
- Impulsivity and hyperactivity because of running out of time
- Neglecting important tasks or work projects
- Not finishing household chores
- Being chronically late
- Not being able to stick to schedules
In general, if you or someone you know are recurrently experiencing the above, underlying medical conditions might explain this time dysfunction.
Causes of Time Blindness
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Depression
- Parkinson’s disease
- Brain impairment, for example, after a stroke or head injury
Let’s take a closer look at ADHD, which has a solid link to time blindness.
Time Blindness and ADHD
In order to better understand this link, we’ll explore ADHD diagnosis. It is a psychiatric disorder with extreme symptoms:
- Very low attention
- Very high energy and activity
- Very low impulse control
It is well known that patients with ADHD tend to have poor executive functioning, including memory problems, poor time management skills, and concentration and focus issues. However, the relationship between ADHD and time is a classic chicken-or-egg situation. Does the high energy and poor attention cause the patient to lose track of time? Or does poor time sequencing result in high energy?
Although the exact cause is not known, there are two possible brain-based reasons to explain why ADHD and time blindness are linked. They are slightly complicated, so it’s not the end of the world if you want to skip this part.
- Dopamine as a contributing factor—It is well documented that dopamine levels in the brain and the activity of this chemical messenger are low in people with ADHD. Research shows that when dopamine spikes, ADHD-related time blindness improves. This was achieved with
medication, as well as monetary rewards [5*] . Decreased activity in parts of the ADHD brain [6*] —The cerebellum, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex (PFC) are parts of the internal clock and essential for time regulation. The prefrontal cortex, in particular, is crucial for understanding time-fixed intervals and planning for them; the brains of adults with ADHD have lower activity in the PFC.
Basically, this means that in ADHD, the brain areas responsible for time perception don’t communicate with each other effectively.
As noted in clinical research published in international medical journals, individuals with ADHD often feel as though time is slipping away, resulting in fast-paced, impulsive behaviors. They
Understanding the Time Horizon Concept
A horizon is the furthest point you can see; a time horizon is the
For people with ADHD, sense of time is a challenge. This occurs because people with ADHD have future time blindness and a short horizon; so upcoming events tend to ‘arrive unexpectedly’. They are also unaware of how much time has passed, and, as a result, missed deadlines are a common challenge.
Impact on Relationships and Work, Emotional Consequences
It is frustrating to live or work with someone who is always late for commitments, misses deadlines, and runs out of time for responsibilities. This means that time blindness can significantly affect a person’s life negatively.
Work colleagues and family members may feel overloaded with extra responsibilities, resulting in irritation, anger, or resentment. Loved ones may feel neglected when a time-blind individual gets unintentionally absorbed for hours in a project, game, or hobby.
Being blind to time is not sustainable; you need to take action as soon as possible.
Tips for Managing Time Blindness
Although it might not be possible to fix time blindness permanently, time management strategies do help. Below are 12 self-help tips that you might find helpful and better deal with time blindness.
Track Time in a Time Log
Using a timer, see how long it takes to complete a task and write it down. Keeping track of time taken for responsibilities makes it easier to take the next step, which is planning.
Use Your Calendar
Using a timer, see how long it takes to complete a task and write it down. Keeping track of time taken for responsibilities makes it easier to take the next step, which is planning.
Use Your Calendar
Planning is crucial to time blindness management, and a calendar helps you map out your days. From your time log, you now know a specific task’s time length so that you can allocate the same amount of time for it in the future.
Set Calendar Alarm Reminders
Having time slots in a calendar may not be enough to keep you on track, so use the additional functions available to set reminders. Remember to allow calendar notifications.
Set Multiple Alarms
One alarm reminder might not be enough to keep on track either, and it might be necessary to set multiple alarms. An example may be: the first alarm 30 minutes before an event—for winding up your current task—and the second is 10 minutes before to start preparing for the next.
Recurring Alarms
Recurring alarms help remind you of a routine or specific task. Examples are taking medication daily or leaving for the afternoon school run. Technology on our mobile devices has made setting recurring alarms a piece of cake.
Give Yourself a Time Buffer
Buffer time is extra time to allow for unexpected delays, such as heavy traffic or technical glitches, before important meetings. This is easy to do and will save stress and anxiety for everyone involved.
Make To-Do Lists and Shopping Lists
Yet another tip made easy by tech, “Hey Siri, add eggs to my shopping list.” Importantly, having a to-do list prevents wasting time; a shopping list will get you in and out of the grocery store and will not have you roaming endlessly up and down aisles.
List Tasks in Order of Importance
Next, prioritize tasks on the to-do list in order of importance. Then, start with the most crucial one first. Focusing on one task at a time, in the right sequence, ensures you get through the list and complete the essential task first. It makes sense, but often, people focus on something trivial and get lost in it for hours.
Use Countdown Timers
If you get lost in an activity you enjoy, using a countdown timer will prevent you from losing track of time. Set a timer on your mobile for an hour before working in the garden, scrolling through Instagram, or playing an online game.
Visual Timers
Sometimes, even a countdown timer might not be sufficient. Some of you might be ‘surprised’ by the timer alarm going off ‘unexpectedly’ when engrossed in your favorite pastime. This might sound silly, but if you are time blind and have no concept of how much you can do in that hour, it is understandable. This is where a visual timer is useful, as it gives you sensory input warning that time is passing; for example, a red zone gets smaller as the hour ticks by, thus creating fewer surprises.
Set Goals
Identify long-term goals and add them to your calendar. In order to get to this future goal successfully, there may be several short-term gains and goals along the way; if this is the case, add those short-term steps to the calendar as well.
When to Seek Professional Help
So, when should you draw the line and seek professional help to deal with time blindness? Here are some reasons to consult with a healthcare professional:
- New onset time perception difficulties and no longer managing time easily.
- You are not benefiting from self-help strategies.
- You are experiencing other symptoms like anxiety or depression.
- Your behavior is negatively impacting your life or those of colleagues or family members.
Important clinical implications are involved in managing time blindness; the most important is having the correct diagnosis made or excluded by a healthcare provider, for example, possible ADHD. They will then decide on appropriate treatment, including therapy or medication.
Final Thoughts on Time Blindness
As you have seen, time blindness doesn’t only cause a person to lose track of or perceive time abnormally; it points to a possible underlying medical condition. Consequently, it is essential to seek a professional opinion sooner than later to ensure it is managed correctly.
Overcoming time blindness is possible; book your online appointment at MEDvidi today.
