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TikTok has had it with people who are ‘chronically late.’ Is ‘time blindness’ real?
Are you the “chronically late” friend? TikTok would like a word with you.
In recent weeks, people have shared viral videos on the app speaking out against those who make constantly running late a defining personality trait. And no, they aren’t buying “time blindness” as an excuse − but should they?
“You being chronically late and wasting people’s time and having poor time management skills isn’t a quirky personality trait,” one TikToker says in a video with 6 million views. Adds another user in a different video of people who treat being late like a personality quirk: “I love that about you, and it’s not at all extremely annoying.”
The comments are full of people piling on − as well as some issuing profuse apologies for being part of the problem.
“As someone that’s chronically late, I agree & im so sorry,” one commenter wrote. “As someone who is chronically late, I fully accept the consequences or my tardiness. Don’t wait for me… leave. I’ll figure it out,” wrote another.
But if someone frequently struggles with lateness, is it possible something deeper is going on? Well, yes. Mental health experts previously told USA TODAY that “time blindness” is indeed a legitimate experience, especially for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
“Time blindness is a difficulty with a perception of time, how much time is passed, how much time it’s going to take to do something, and it can be quite impairing to people,” Stephanie Sarkis, a psychotherapist and author specializing in ADHD, anxiety and narcissistic abuse, previously told USA TODAY. “It is a real thing that’s been researched.”
What causes time blindness?
People with time blindness struggle to keep track of and estimate time. It’s harder for them to gauge how long it will take to complete tasks or how long it will take to arrive somewhere.
Though it’s most commonly observed in people with ADHD, Sarkis said, time blindness can manifest in anyone with impairment in executive functions stemming from the frontal lobe area of their brain, which is responsible for personality, judgment, self-control and more.
More: A TikToker went viral for blaming being late to work on ‘time blindness.’ Is it a real thing?
The frontal lobe is “like a floodgate for the brain,” Sarkis said, adding that time blindness can also be present in people with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. “It’s not exclusive to ADHD, but it does impact ADHD quite a bit.”
Ari Tuckman, a psychologist specializing in ADHD as well as couples and sex therapy, previously told USA TODAY that people can also experience temporary bouts of time blindness if they are grieving, drunk, stressed or sleep-deprived.
People also experience time blindness to varying severity, he added.
“We all have some sense of time,” Tuckman said. “This ability to see and be aware of time, it’s a human ability that’s on a spectrum. Some people are really good; some people are not as good.”
How can people cope with time blindness?
Sarkis and Tuckman offer these tips for those who may be struggling with time blindness:
Alarms and scheduling apps are your best friends. “Apps are really helpful, so use your timers as much as possible,” Sarkis said. “Change the tone of your timer if your brain’s getting used to it. Use apps that help you schedule and help you prioritize. Take advantage of the technology we have.”
Try an analog clock instead of a digital one. Using an old-school clock with minute and hour hands can help people with time blindness keep track of how long things take as well as see the present moment in relationship to the past and future, Tuckman said. “It’s much more tangible,” he said. “You see the hand move, and you see how close it is to whatever time point, as opposed to digital clocks that are really just abstract.”
Get plenty of sleep. Sleep deprivation can exacerbate time blindness and other symptoms of ADHD, Sarkis said. “If you’re having a lack of sleep and having a lot of life changes going on, it’s really important to talk to someone about that, because that can make your executive dysfunction even more dysfunctional.”
See a specialist. If you struggle with time blindness, it’s possible you have ADHD, which can be treated, Sarkis said, adding that working with a professional to find the right medication can alleviate time blindness and other symptoms.
For those who don’t struggle with time blindness, Sarkis said, getting frustrated and exasperated with someone who does won’t solve the problem.
“We all have different strengths and weaknesses,” she said. “Not only do we positively reinforce people’s strengths, but we also need to be kind and understanding about people’s weaknesses, and getting upset with someone isn’t going to improve that weakness.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: TikTok hates those who are ‘chronically late.’ Is time blindness real?