Does anyone else here have (or at least know or suspect they have) aphantasia?
I only discovered I was aphantasic a few years ago when I stumbled on a YT video about it. Up to that point I assumed when people spoke about “picturing something” in their mind that they were using metaphor.
But no… it turns out it’s totally normal for y’all to have vivid visual hallucinations whenever you want to conjure them up.
Google it if you’re not sure what it is.
There’s a simple DIY test for it though: close your eyes and try to picture an Apple.
Can you see a vivid, detailed image of an Apple in your mind? Can you see a vague Apple-shaped blob, or can you just see darkness and light spots (but you know or remember what an Apple looks like and can think of one, just not create the picture in your head).
If it’s the latter, you’re probably aphantasic and you are about to go down a rabbit hole where you’ll discover everything you thought about how people describe mental imagery is wrong! Sorry! |
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I’ve always found this condition to be both highly fascinating and indeed, simultaneously rather sad for those so afflicted.
Of course, an inability to visualise clearly within one’s minds eye is hardly a major ailment in the grand scheme of things and yet, creative visualisation can prove such a rich and rewarding experience.
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"I’ve always found this condition to be both highly fascinating and indeed, simultaneously rather sad for those so afflicted.
Of course, an inability to visualise clearly within one’s minds eye is hardly a major ailment in the grand scheme of things and yet, creative visualisation can prove such a rich and rewarding experience.
"
Totally. I wonder what it must have been like before photography was available and accessible. When you can’t picture dead or distant loved ones, you look at photos to help trigger memories.
This probably explains why my photo library is backed up with triple redundancies! |
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"I can't 'see' an apple but I can remember what one looks like...  "
Uh oh.
I’ve got just the thing for you to start your journey down the rabbit hole!
https://youtu.be/arc1fdoMi2Y (it’s a Ted talk, by the way, nothing sinister!)
 |
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"The apple I picture has a single leaf on it's short stem. Leaf points right. Apple is green with slight brown mottling. Reddish on the right hand side."
Good news, you either have ‘normal’ imagery or you might even be hyperphantasic! Close your eyes and enjoy the show!  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My ex claimed to have prosopagnosia, which is kind of the opposite, having a poor minds eye and no ability to recognises faces without social clues like clothing, voice, what they’re doing etc. I knew it was bollox when she would point out her dentist in the queue at ParkRun tho, for example. |
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It would appear (or not in my case  ) that from the op description I am aphantastic too. Never having known anything different I'm not bothered although it would be nice to he able to run a movie reel through my head. My brain does other odd things that make up for it though as I'm mildly synaesthetic |
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"My ex claimed to have prosopagnosia, which is kind of the opposite, having a poor minds eye and no ability to recognises faces without social clues like clothing, voice, what they’re doing etc. I knew it was bollox when she would point out her dentist in the queue at ParkRun tho, for example. "
Yeah, if they recognised someone with no other cues, total BS!
The two are undoubtedly linked, though. I have a really poor visual memory. I sometimes have trouble placing or naming a face, but I can definitely tell one face from another.
Hyperphantasia could be linked with the concept of “super recognisers” - the opposite of face blindness. Greenwich uni have an ongoing study into the phenomenon and the Met used to have a unit set up to use this unique skill for crime detection purposes (like a human version of facial recognition software). |
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"It would appear (or not in my case ) that from the op description I am aphantastic too. Never having known anything different I'm not bothered although it would be nice to he able to run a movie reel through my head. My brain does other odd things that make up for it though as I'm mildly synaesthetic"
Yep, it’s what we’re used to, I guess. It’s interesting that you experience synaesthesia - there is a well documented overlap between the two. |
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"It would appear (or not in my case ) that from the op description I am aphantastic too. Never having known anything different I'm not bothered although it would be nice to he able to run a movie reel through my head. My brain does other odd things that make up for it though as I'm mildly synaesthetic
Yep, it’s what we’re used to, I guess. It’s interesting that you experience synaesthesia - there is a well documented overlap between the two. "
Is there? Do synaesthetes usually experience clear visuals? I took the fact that I experienced words as colours, smells and sensations in my mouth for granted too |
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"Blimey ! I just had a quick squizz at the connection between synaesthesia and aphantasia. It seems there is a connection. Very interesting but it got a bit scientific "
Yeah, it’s pretty wild when you dig into it.
There are positives too, though. We tend to be more immune to some of the visual aspects of trauma response - we don’t get the “flashback” images which can be intrusive for some people.
I’ve seen some pretty grim things at work, and experienced (relatively minor) sexual assault as a teenager… no visual memory of it though.
Crap as a witness, good in recovery!
If I know I’m going to need to remember a visual aspect of something I narrate it to myself in my inner monologue as I go… that way I’ve got the semantic brain to assist me in recall.
Similarly in tasks that require manipulation of a shape in the mind (like the “what shape does this net make” IQ test questions) I use the semantic brain to plot or navigate my way around - counting lines, corners and turns, rather than just spinning an image in my head. It takes longer but I get there! |
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A quickie question which may sound a bit odd or obtuse at first sight but I am intrigued;
Sufferers, even though you are unable to consciously manifest internal visualisation, do you dream in imagery? |
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"A quickie question which may sound a bit odd or obtuse at first sight but I am intrigued;
Sufferers, even though you are unable to consciously manifest internal visualisation, do you dream in imagery? "
I do. |
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"A quickie question which may sound a bit odd or obtuse at first sight but I am intrigued;
Sufferers, even though you are unable to consciously manifest internal visualisation, do you dream in imagery?
I do. "
This is even more intriguing in that it would appear to donate that the condition only affects the conscious mind therefore (assuming that we adopt the widely accepted acknowledgment that dreams are the domain of the subconscious).
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By *ack688Man
over a year ago
abruzzo Italy (and UK) |
Yes, I’m aphantsic, but only realised it was a thing a little while ago, I didn’t realise that what I see or rather don’t see in my head was any different to anyone else but when I mention it it freaks people out a bit. |
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By *ack688Man
over a year ago
abruzzo Italy (and UK) |
"Yes, I’m aphantsic, but only realised it was a thing a little while ago, I didn’t realise that what I see or rather don’t see in my head was any different to anyone else but when I mention it it freaks people out a bit. "
*Aphantasic |
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"A quickie question which may sound a bit odd or obtuse at first sight but I am intrigued;
Sufferers, even though you are unable to consciously manifest internal visualisation, do you dream in imagery?
I do.
This is even more intriguing in that it would appear to donate that the condition only affects the conscious mind therefore (assuming that we adopt the widely accepted acknowledgment that dreams are the domain of the subconscious).
"
I wouldn't call myself a sufferer though. It doesn't affect me negatively because I don't know any differently and it's never occurred to me that other people actually see their thoughts. |
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"A quickie question which may sound a bit odd or obtuse at first sight but I am intrigued;
Sufferers, even though you are unable to consciously manifest internal visualisation, do you dream in imagery? "
I think I do. Certainly when I wake mid dream I’m aware I’ve been in a fully “immersive” experience and I ‘remember’ ‘seeing things’, so I guess I must do. I have no recollection of any images though.
There is a suggestion it is to do with the stimulation of the visual cortex, so I suppose if that’s not in “active” mode it may make visualisation easier.
There have been some experiments using magnetic and electronic stimulation of the viz cortex to try to stimulate imaging. Limited success so far though. |
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I don't suffer from what you are describing because I can visualise things but I am unable to fantasise.
I don't have fantasies and never have done and people have often assumed I'm not being honest when I say that.
I do however suffer from anhedonia which I won't attempt to explain as it won't make much sense but a quick synopsis is that it's an inability to feel pleasure.
Luckily I have a variation on it which means I can experience pleasure in the moment but there is zero anticipation and virtually no lasting effect after the event.
I don't look forward to anything or get excited or nervous as a result.
I haven't done a lot of research into it because I don't want to waste yet more time dissecting my life and prefer to get on and live it but I believe there is a link between that and aphantasia. |
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"I don't suffer from what you are describing because I can visualise things but I am unable to fantasise.
I don't have fantasies and never have done and people have often assumed I'm not being honest when I say that.
I do however suffer from anhedonia which I won't attempt to explain as it won't make much sense but a quick synopsis is that it's an inability to feel pleasure.
Luckily I have a variation on it which means I can experience pleasure in the moment but there is zero anticipation and virtually no lasting effect after the event.
I don't look forward to anything or get excited or nervous as a result.
I haven't done a lot of research into it because I don't want to waste yet more time dissecting my life and prefer to get on and live it but I believe there is a link between that and aphantasia."
Ah, that’s interesting. I’m familiar with anhedonia having experienced it as a symptom on anther MH condition (and medication). Glad you’re able to enjoy in the moment though - I imagine it has some interesting manifestations.
It’s interesting the link to fantasies in a sexual sense. For obvious reason I’ve never really had a “wank bank” so to speak. I also have never managed the suspension of disbelief to get into role playing enough to enjoy it. Not sure if that’s linked to the aphantasia or another facet of my quirky brain! |
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"I think it's probably like the difference between reading a book and watching a film."
I know some people hate film adaptations because it conflicts with the image they have formed in their head (Same with fan art).
I love both - not to watch the film, but because it gives me an image to use when I think of it. |
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There’s a related phenomenon with sound and music.
Some people don’t have an “inner monologue”. That seems weird to me as I live with my voice constantly chuntering on in my head.
I can’t imagine music though. If I want to think of a song, my “inner monologue” either sings it (in my voice) or hums it! |
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"I think it's probably like the difference between reading a book and watching a film.
I know some people hate film adaptations because it conflicts with the image they have formed in their head (Same with fan art).
I love both - not to watch the film, but because it gives me an image to use when I think of it. "
Yes! I can't envisage scenery or landscape from a description in a book either, I sometimes skip over the descriptions because they mean nothing to me.
However I do get annoyed when a film deviates from the book. |
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"I think it's probably like the difference between reading a book and watching a film.
I know some people hate film adaptations because it conflicts with the image they have formed in their head (Same with fan art).
I love both - not to watch the film, but because it gives me an image to use when I think of it.
Yes! I can't envisage scenery or landscape from a description in a book either, I sometimes skip over the descriptions because they mean nothing to me.
However I do get annoyed when a film deviates from the book. "
Oh totally. I guess if the imagery is less important to us, we maybe place more value on the plot and characterisation. |
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"There’s a related phenomenon with sound and music.
Some people don’t have an “inner monologue”. That seems weird to me as I live with my voice constantly chuntering on in my head.
I can’t imagine music though. If I want to think of a song, my “inner monologue” either sings it (in my voice) or hums it! "
That’s equally as intriguing; so you only hear notes if hummed internally in your own voice as opposed to the relevant musical instruments that created them?
I would say in terms of visualisation (utilising it in its broadest sense), the hardest senses for me to mimic and conjure internally are taste and smell.
Taking the apple analogy therefore, I can clearly see it and even ‘feel it’ but it is difficult to maintain any sense of smell and/or taste of it.
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"There’s a related phenomenon with sound and music.
Some people don’t have an “inner monologue”. That seems weird to me as I live with my voice constantly chuntering on in my head.
I can’t imagine music though. If I want to think of a song, my “inner monologue” either sings it (in my voice) or hums it!
That’s equally as intriguing; so you only hear notes if hummed internally in your own voice as opposed to the relevant musical instruments that created them?
I would say in terms of visualisation (utilising it in its broadest sense), the hardest senses for me to mimic and conjure internally are taste and smell.
Taking the apple analogy therefore, I can clearly see it and even ‘feel it’ but it is difficult to maintain any sense of smell and/or taste of it.
"
Oh I just took it for granted that no-one could magic up taste or smell!! That would be proper wizardry (and possibly the cure to my carb addiction!! )
The only thing I can reliably “summon” is feelings. I can make myself feel anxious, or happy, or sad, etc. It take’s a lot of effort if I’m in an opposite mood… but it can be done. |
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"Ok my mind is blown!!! I don’t see anything either, didn’t realise this wasn’t normal and I’m 47!!! I thought everyone was like me lol"
Sorry…..! 
If it’s any consolation you now have something you will want to discuss with all your friends and family to find out if they’re a vivid hallucinator (or ‘normal’ like us!) |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I can't 'see' an apple but I can remember what one looks like...
Uh oh.
I’ve got just the thing for you to start your journey down the rabbit hole!
https://youtu.be/arc1fdoMi2Y (it’s a Ted talk, by the way, nothing sinister!)
"
That's really interesting. |
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"I can't 'see' an apple but I can remember what one looks like...
Uh oh.
I’ve got just the thing for you to start your journey down the rabbit hole!
https://youtu.be/arc1fdoMi2Y (it’s a Ted talk, by the way, nothing sinister!)
That's really interesting. "
I really nerd out with this stuff. Brains are so fascinating. You can imagine the state of my open browser tabs, can’t you! |
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