At a Glance
- Time blindness, a symptom of ADHD, explains chronic lateness.
- Experts say medication and smart tools can help.
- Even adults with ADHD can improve reliability with simple strategies.
- Why it matters: It shows how a neurological condition can affect daily life and offers practical solutions.
For years, Alice Lovatt struggled with lateness, until a late diagnosis revealed a deeper issue: time blindness, a common ADHD symptom. Experts explain how this impairment can disrupt personal and professional life, and they share tools that even non-ADHD people can use to stay on schedule.
What Is Time Blindness?
Time blindness is the inability to gauge how long tasks will take or how much time has passed. It stems from executive function deficits in the frontal lobes and is well documented in ADHD, says psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis.
Sarkis said:
> “Anyone can have issues with running late, just with ADHD there’s functional impairment,” said Sarkis, author of “10 Simple Solutions to Adult ADD.”
- Family life
- Social life
- Work and money management
Why Chronic Lateness Matters
When chronic tardiness becomes one star in a constellation of symptoms, it may signal a treatable disorder, Sarkis noted.
Sarkis said:
> “If a person’s chronic tardiness is “one star in the constellation of symptoms,” then it could be evidence of a treatable disorder.”
Stimulant medication prescribed for other ADHD symptoms also helps with time blindness.
Strategies for All Late-Arrivers
Whether or not you have ADHD, the same interventions can help.
- Use a smartwatch to set alerts.
- Keep analog clocks nearby.
- Break tasks into smaller steps.
- Avoid cramming many activities into one day.
Sarkis said:
> “Using a smart watch to set alerts can help with knowing when you need to leave, although having analog clocks around also helps. Relying only on your phone to see the time creates more distractions.”
Jeffrey Meltzer said:
> “It’s the same psychology concept behind revenge bedtime procrastination,” he said.
Meltzer said:
> “Maybe they’re 20, 30 minutes late, and it’s like, ‘Oh, look who is here,'” he said.
Alice Lovatt said:
> “It doesn’t work, like, 100% of the time. But generally, I am a lot more reliable now.”
Lovatt’s Personal Strategy
Lovatt now gives herself extra time, uses Forest and an app that locks other apps, and creates granular lists of steps.
| Step | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Walk downstairs | 1 min | 1 min |
| Find shoes | 1 min | 1 min |
| Walking between rooms | 1 min | 1 min |
| Total door prep | 20 min | 45 min |
Lovatt discovered that her actual preparation time was 45 minutes, not the 20 minutes she had estimated.
Key Takeaways
- Time blindness is a recognized ADHD symptom that can cause chronic lateness.
- Medication and simple tools like smartwatches can improve time awareness.
- Structured planning and realistic time estimates help everyone stay on schedule.
Time blindness may feel like a personal failing, but it’s a neurological challenge that can be managed with the right tools and mindset.
