Ever misplaced observe of time solely to comprehend hours have vanished? Or do you persistently underestimate how lengthy issues take, regardless of how arduous you strive?
When you’ve got ADHD, this expertise is pretty frequent, and it’s also known as time blindness.
What’s Time Blindness?
Time blindness refers to issue in precisely perceiving how a lot time is passing.
For these with ADHD, time can generally really feel slippery. As such, you would possibly battle to estimate how lengthy duties will take or sense how a lot time has really handed.
However why does it typically come up in these with ADHD?
Time blindness stems from variations in govt operate, the set of psychological expertise that assist us plan, manage, and handle ourselves.
Because the ADHD mind processes dopamine otherwise, a person’s inner sense of time will be inconsistent. When curiosity or hyperfocus is excessive, time could appear to vanish altogether. Because of this, somebody with ADHD would possibly run late regardless of real effort, underestimate how lengthy a challenge will take, or lose a complete night to a single activity with out noticing.
Methods for Time Blindness
Since your inner clock isn’t dependable, many methods for overcoming time blindness contain creating exterior cues. Listed below are some to strive:
- Visible timers: Seeing time go helps make it actual. Attempt an analog clock or a timer app that exhibits time draining away.
- Time-blocking with buffers: Schedule duties in blocks, however add further time. Issues often take longer than you assume.
- A number of alarms: Set reminders all through a activity. This retains you anchored.
- Physique doubling: Working alongside another person, even silently, can assist you keep conscious of time.
- Time audits: Monitor how lengthy duties really take for every week. The info typically surprises folks and helps with future planning.
Whereas time blindness will be irritating, with the appropriate instruments, it doesn’t have to regulate your life. In case you’re struggling to handle time with ADHD, our workforce of execs at Pathways Neuropsychology Associates is right here to assist. Contact us right this moment to study extra!