Subjective temporality is the way a person perceives and feels the passage of time. This perception is deeply influenced by internal factors such as emotional state, personal experiences and mental health conditions. For instance, people suffering from depression may feel that time passes extremely slowly, while those in a state of stress or anxiety may perceive time as flowing too fast or chaotically. This perception of time is intimately tied to the individual’s mental and emotional state.

The perception of time varies considerably across cultures. In Western societies, time is often perceived linearly, as a continuous progression of events flowing sequentially: past, present and future. This linear vision of time is embedded in thinking and in organisational structures, including health systems, where appointments, treatments and interventions are planned chronologically and in a structured way.

By contrast, in many non-Western cultures, time may be perceived in a more circular or holistic way. This circular perception implies that events and actions recur cyclically, carrying a sense of continuity and recurrence. In some indigenous cultures, for example, time is often seen as a cycle of seasons, rituals and traditions that repeat and interconnect, underscoring the interdependence of events and actions (Hall, 1983).

These differences in time perception can affect how people interact with the health system and understand treatment timelines. Someone from a culture with a circular perception of time may hold different expectations about the speed of care and the management of appointments. They may perceive delays not as obstacles to overcome but as integral parts of a continuous process of care and healing (Roxburgh, 2018).

For health professionals, it is essential to recognise and respect these cultural perceptions of time. A deeper understanding of such differences can improve communication and help adapt treatment strategies to patients’ needs and expectations. In some African cultures, for example, health is perceived holistically, integrating the spiritual, physical and social dimensions of life. Health interventions must therefore be designed to respect and integrate these dimensions, offering a more complete and better-accepted framework for care (Nsamenang & Dawes, 1998).

Institutional temporality, by contrast, is dictated by calendars, protocols and administrative deadlines that regulate the functioning of health and social services. This temporality is linear and structured, designed to optimise efficiency and resource management. Appointments, treatments and interventions are planned chronologically and often without the flexibility to adapt to patients’ individual needs.

Delays in medico-social services can exacerbate patients’ feelings of frustration and despair. Sontag-Padilla et al. (2018) observed that prolonged delays in accessing psychological or psychiatric care can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety. Patients may feel abandoned by the health system, which can reduce their engagement and their trust in the care on offer.

Waiting can also have deleterious effects on mental health. The uncertainty and anguish associated with waiting for treatment can intensify existing mental disorders. Gulliver et al. (2012) stressed that young people in particular are sensitive to the effects of prolonged waiting, which can lead to a rapid deterioration of their mental state. Studies show that long waiting times for access to mental health services can worsen patients’ symptoms (Priebe et al., 2016). A prolonged delay before a first psychiatric consultation, for instance, can lead to a deterioration of the patient’s mental state and increase the risk of emergency hospitalisation (Hawley et al., 2017).

The dissonance between patients’ subjective temporality and the institutional temporality of health services can have significant consequences. Someone suffering from anxiety disorders, for example, may perceive a few weeks’ wait for a consultation as interminable, thereby worsening their stress (Priebe et al., 2016). This dissonance can lead to feelings of frustration, despair and disengagement from the care on offer.

While institutional temporality follows rigid protocols to ensure the efficiency of services, subjective temporality, shaped by individuals’ emotional and mental states, alters the perception of delays and can heighten suffering and anguish. This discordance, marked by waits perceived as interminable, can not only worsen symptoms but also generate a loss of trust in the care system, reducing adherence to treatment. To mitigate the effects of this dissonance, it is essential for health professionals to recognise the importance of psychic temporality, to practise active listening, and to build flexibility into protocols, taking into account each person’s specific perceptions and needs.