Aphantasia Beginner's Guide

So I Just Learned I Have Aphantasia

You know that great musical number "Does anybody else have this?" or the popular internet meme, "Can you picture a red apple in your mind?" Well, I just found out that most of you are seeing a juicy, shiny apple floating in your mind's eye and my mind is blown. I don't see any images in my mind. Yep, I have aphantasia. And if you're wondering, "Aphant-what now?" keep reading.

What Is Aphantasia?

Aphantasia is the inability to visualize. Otherwise known as image-free thinking. In simpler terms, if you ask someone with aphantasia to imagine a beach, we think of the concept of a beach. We know what a beach is and can describe it, but we can't "see" it in our mind's eye. It's not just the visual sense that's impacted. Aphantasia can affect all or some of the other senses in your imagination...more on this later.

Share

TwitterLinkedInFacebookWhatsAppEmailMore Options

Do I Have Aphantasia? The Apple Test

Here's a simple and helpful test to determine if you have aphantasia. Imagine a red apple. Try to visualize it in your mind's eye. What do you see? Some people will conjure up clear images of an apple, some might see blurry ones, and a few can't see anything at all.

If you find yourself in the latter category, understanding that you've always interpreted phrases like "mind's eye" or "counting sheep" as mere metaphors, you have aphantasia.

The term "mind's eye" often gets thrown around, but for many, it's taken quite literally. When someone says they're "counting sheep" to fall asleep or talks about their "imaginary friend" from childhood, they are actually picturing these scenarios. For those with a highly visual imagination, these aren't just metaphors; they're real mental images.

To determine where you are on the visual imagination spectrum, the VVIQ is a recognized test that can help identify where you might fall on the spectrum.

Share

TwitterLinkedInFacebookWhatsAppEmailMore Options

What's It Like To Visualize?

Experiment with this apple illusion to see for yourself. Keep your gaze focused on the center point without moving your eyes for about 30 seconds, then turn your gaze to the blank white space and blink several times. You'll briefly see an afterimage of a red apple.

This afterimage illusion, while a product of perception, serves as a bridge to understanding visualization. For those with aphantasia, it's a rare opportunity to "see" what visualization might be like for some visualizers.

Learn more about the afterimage apple illusion.

What Do Most Visualizers "See"?

People's experience of visual imagination can range from subtle to incredibly realistic. For instance, when asked to imagine a seashell, some might see a simple white or pink curve, while others might visualize a detailed, photorealistic seashell with intricate patterns lying on a sandy beach. This ability to form mental images isn't just limited to objects; it can extend to people, places, events, and even abstract ideas.

The article "Visualizing the Invisible" delves deeper into the nuances of visual imagination. It highlights that the vividness of one's mental imagery isn't just about clarity or detail. Some people might only visualize things they've seen before, while others can conjure up entirely new images. The presence, arbitrariness, or controllability of these images can also vary.

For example, some individuals can easily create, hold, or modify a mental image, while others might find this challenging. Emotions, recent media consumption, and even whether one's eyes are open or closed can influence the type and clarity of our mental images.

How Do We Know People Are Actually Visualizing?

People have taken various physiological and behavioral tests in a research lab. Researchers have observed that people who report vivid imagery respond differently to these more objective measures than aphantasics. Although this doesn't let us know definitively that they vividly see an image, it all points to the fact that something is truly different between people who claim to see vividly and those who don't.

We can also see activation in the visual cortex during fMRI studies, the area in the brain that processes images from the eyes, further suggesting actual visualization. For more on the known neurodifferences in imagery experiences, check out these shocking insights. For a deeper dive into how this brain activation can be used to decode mental imagery, you might find this study enlightening.

How to Tell The Difference Between Visualizers And Conceptualizers

While visualizers "paint" vivid pictures in their minds, those with aphantasia lean more towards conceptual thinking, diving deep into ideas and concepts rather than visual scenes. Discovering the differences between visualizers and conceptualizers can be both enlightening and entertaining. Want a quick and fun way to spot the difference?

Try the Ball on the Table experiment. In under two minutes this playful experiment can shed light on the distinct thinking styles of visualizers and conceptualizers, offering a glimpse into the fascinating differences in our inner worlds. Credit to u/Caaaarrrl for this experiment.

Are You a Visualizer or Conceptualizer?

When you ask a visualizer about the ball on the table, most will immediately have answers to all of the questions. They are likely to provide extra details you didn't ask for. This is the first clue the individual may be picturing the scene in their mind. For example, a visualizer might say, "The ball looks like the Pixar Ball. It's yellow and features a blue strip with a red star. The ball is about the size of a baseball. It's on a wooden, oval-shaped table with scratches on top, etc."

Conceptualizers, on the other hand, approach this task differently. To them, the ball on the table is an idea. While they can anticipate the possible outcome – a ball, when nudged, might roll and likely fall off – many specific details, like the ball's color, its size, the material of the table, or the gender of the person, remain elusive to them. It's possible that they only acknowledge or consider these details when directly questioned about them. If you're more of a conceptualizer you grasp the core idea, but likely do not form a detailed mental picture. This is one of aphantasia's unique strengths, thinking more conceptually.

How Do I Explain Aphantasia To My Family And Friends

Breaking the news about your discovery of aphantasia to friends and family can be a daunting task, especially since it's a topic that's not commonly discussed. It's natural for them to have questions or even doubts (after all, with ~4% of the population having aphantasia, it's more likely that they can visualize).

To help you navigate this conversation, here's a sample dialogue that addresses some typical questions and concerns you might encounter.

I'm Struggling With My Aphantasia Discovery. Where Can I Go?

It's important to note that aphantasia is not a disorder. Yet, for ~35% of those with aphantasia, its discovery can be a significant psychological stressor. If you suspect you have aphantasia, it's always good to read more about it. If you find yourself struggling with your aphantasia discovery, consult a mental healthcare professional to understand it better.

Be aware, however, that many practitioners have yet to learn about aphantasia. Here's a resource on how to talk to a therapist about aphantasia, and a database of professionals we can vouch for.

Venture Deeper Down the Rabbit Hole of Aphantasia

Aphantasia is more than just a different way of thinking; it's a journey into understanding the intricacies of the human mind. For those intrigued and wanting to delve deeper into this invisible difference, there's a whole world waiting for you down the rabbit hole of aphantasia. Sign-up for our aphantasia newsletter to get weekly insights into the aphantasic experience.