From an early age, Alice Lovatt struggled with punctuality, frequently facing reprimands for her lateness. The stress of disappointing peers by arriving late compounded her anxiety, particularly concerning her school attendance. Now an adult working in Liverpool, England, Lovatt describes a persistent difficulty in sensing the passage of time internally, remarking, "I just don’t seem to have that clock that ticks by in my head."
It was not until receiving a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) at 22 that Lovatt understood this challenge as a manifestation of what has been termed "time blindness." This phenomenon, which involves difficulty judging how long tasks take or recognizing elapsed time, has been linked to ADHD and autism spectrum disorders. In 1997, clinical neuropsychologist Russell Barkley identified this issue under the term "temporal myopia."
The topic of time blindness has recently garnered attention on social media, sparking dialogue about distinguishing between genuine neurological conditions and behaviors rooted in simple disorganization or discourtesy.
Time blindness primarily impairs executive functions controlled by the brain's frontal lobes. Stephanie Sarkis, a psychotherapist based in Tampa Bay, Florida, highlights that while anyone may occasionally struggle with being late, those with ADHD experience functional impairments affecting multiple life domains, including family, social relationships, work, and financial management.
She emphasizes that when chronic tardiness presents as one symptom amid a broader array of issues, it may indicate a treatable neurological condition. Research shows that stimulant medications commonly prescribed for ADHD symptoms such as inattention and hyperactivity can also mitigate time blindness. However, Sarkis cautions against generalizing: persistent lateness does not necessarily imply ADHD or serve as an excuse for the behavior.
Therapist Jeffrey Meltzer of Bradenton, Florida, advises individuals who habitually arrive late to explore underlying psychological reasons. For some, aversion to early arrival stems from social anxiety related to small talk. Others may experience a diminished sense of personal agency, reclaiming moments from demanding schedules—paralleling the concept of "revenge bedtime procrastination," where individuals sacrifice sleep to gain personal time.
Meltzer recommends constructing simple coping tools, such as an index card with reframed thoughts addressing specific causes and consequences of lateness. For example, one side might state, "Attending this meeting doesn’t mean that I lose my freedom," while the opposite side warns, "Being late again will upset people at work."
He notes that the most challenging reason to alter punctuality habits may be a perceived sense of entitlement, in which individuals prioritize their time over others'. Such attitudes may manifest beyond lateness, including behaviors like using disabled parking spaces or making conspicuous event entrances. Meltzer describes this as a bid for attention when an individual arrives significantly late, exemplified by remarks like, "Oh, look who is here."
Regardless of diagnosis, individuals remain accountable for their punctuality. Sarkis, who herself received an adult ADHD diagnosis, underscores that interventions effective for ADHD can benefit all who struggle with timeliness.
Practical solutions include employing smart watches with alert functions to signal departure times while supplementing with analog clocks to reduce reliance on distracting smartphones. Additionally, breaking down tasks into smaller steps and avoiding overcommitment can improve time management.
Lovatt has adopted strategies such as allotting more time than she estimates necessary and utilizing apps like Forest to enhance focus, alongside software that restricts phone usage to minimize distractions.
One particularly effective technique she describes is creating detailed lists quantifying the duration of each morning activity. Initially underestimating her exit preparation as taking 20 minutes, she accounted for all steps from getting out of bed to leaving the house, discovering the process consumes closer to 45 minutes. Although not infallible, these methods have significantly increased her reliability in managing time.