my patient advice logo - used for header - mypatientadvice.co.uk
All Topics
Contact Us
Free Health Updates
Table of Contents
< All Topics
Print

What Is “Time Blindness” in ADHD, and How Can It Be Managed? 

PostedOctober 20, 2025
UpdatedOctober 20, 2025
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Phoebe Carter, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

ADHD time blindness is more than just losing track of time, it’s a neurological difficulty that affects how people with ADHD perceive, estimate, and manage time. If you often feel like time either disappears or drags on endlessly, you’re not alone. This distorted sense of time is one of the most common and disruptive aspects of ADHD. 

Free ADHD screening test

Understanding ADHD Temporal Challenges 

People with ADHD struggle with ADHD time perception issues, meaning they have difficulty judging how long tasks will take, when to start them, or how much time has passed. This can lead to chronic lateness, deadline stress, or jumping from task to task without a sense of order. 

Managing ADHD time blindness starts with externalising time, making it visible and concrete: 

Visual timers:  

These show time passing in real-time, helping the ADHD brain grasp duration. 

Alarms and reminders:  

Use them frequently for transitions and task prompts. 

Time-blocking:  

Allocate chunks of the day to specific tasks, including breaks, to create a predictable flow. 

Body doubling:  

Working alongside someone else can increase time awareness and accountability. 

These tools don’t “fix” ADHD, but they reduce the overwhelm and stress that comes with ADHD temporal challenges. 

With support and strategy, people with ADHD can better navigate time, rather than constantly feeling ruled by it. 

Visit providers like ADHD Certify for personal consultations to better understand how brain imaging can inform ADHD treatment.  

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to time management and ADHD.  

Free ADHD screening test
Phoebe Carter, MSc
Author

Phoebe Carter is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s in Applied Psychology. She has experience working with both children and adults, conducting psychological assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and delivering evidence-based therapies. Phoebe specialises in neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), ADHD, and learning disabilities, as well as mood, anxiety, psychotic, and personality disorders. She is skilled in CBT, behaviour modification, ABA, and motivational interviewing, and is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based mental health care to individuals of all ages.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS, author and a reviewer for my patient advice - mypatientadvice.co.uk
Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.