ADHD & Time-blindness

Q: Can a person be diagnosed with ADHD, predominately inattentive presentation, without the presentation of time blindness? Or does time-blindness need to be present for ADHD to be diagnosed?

Liz’s Answer: Time Blindness is the terminology we use for the executive function challenges many of us face when it comes to managing our time. Time blindness can mean different things to different people.

With that said, I can tell you that just because you don’t struggle with time management, doesn’t mean you don’t have ADHD and won’t struggle with other EF-related issues.

For example I have the inattentive presentation, and I am rarely late for an appointment.

BUT if you ask me to execute a set of instructions or block out the hours of my day – I am lost. I cannot decide how long things will take or how I should prioritize my activities.

Here is a video that I like to show people about time blindness (featuring Dr. Russell Barkley):

I am not a physician, but in my humble opinion you do not have to have specific issues with time blindness in order to get a diagnosis of ADHD. Chances are you have other executive function impairments that impact your functionality.

Hope that helps!

xoxoxo

Liz