George Frank Carrillo

Dear Ian: I found your story very interesting and highly meaningful is. Well detailed and fact based, it gave me a strong reference in the way my mind also works. All my life I was able to work mentally with very complex electronics and mechanical systems. Never had any problem designing, visualizing and constructing working mental models. I just discovered, about two years ago, that I have lost the ability to mentally visualize anything. I discovered that I have Aphantasia. If I close my eyes and try to see an object, face or graphic,  I do not see anything. I only see with my mind eyes a foggy colorless background. It is like the old TVs screen, when there was no signal, just visual noise. Also, what I "see" in my mind, seems to be what you see when you open your eyes underwater in your swimming pool. Merely, nothing. I have dedicated several months to research, read and learn about Aphantasia, wich is exactly my newly discovered condition, about two years ago. It is very interesting. Additionally, I have consulted a Neurology Doctor. I had an EGG and an MRI of my brain done recently. All results were "normal." No medical recommendations were given. My Neurology Doctor was not very impressed and interested in my Aphantasia mental condition. I have recently discovered that our minds work at several levels when working with ideas, concepts and graphical representations of the physical and intellectual world. I have realized that, if I can not form a shape or form in my mind, due to Aphantasia, I can continue working with complex designs and shapes, not as mental images, but as concepts. I am able to work with "concepts." I deal with them like they are "flash cards." I can shuffle them, pick the ones that I want, I can combine them to develop a mechanism, design or system  I suffered a suddenly loss of consciousness during my visit to my older Son, on Father's Day, in 2018. I  was deeply unconscious for about FIVE minutes. The event is known as SYNCOPE. It is possible that this event is the cause of my Aphantasia, even no physical or physiological injury was caused, based on all the medical tests done. My Son George, made an extensive research about the possible effects of the Syncope I had suffered. He found out, from reliable medical and scientific sources, that the Brain "resets", in many ways, after the SYNCOPE event. You may lose or gain some mental abilities and capacities. I noticeable gained improvement in mathematical, geometrical, graphical, musical, logical reasoning, verbal and written communication, etc. But, I possibly lost the ability to create images and see them with my "mind's eyes", and that is: Aphantasia. I would like to establish a more one-to-one communication with you, via email, if you do not mind. Your Aphantasia case is of special interest to me, having similar life backgrounds and a similar mental condition. I would like to share with you any new discoveries and resources. Best regards, George Frank Carrillo  [email protected]

Dear Hailey: I have read your story with interest and attention. I also discovered that I have Aphantasia. I noticed my incapacity to "see" with my mind's eye, as I did, actively, all my life. I am 76 years old. Retired and living in Southern California. I made use of my high power visual ability to create in my mind very complex images of electronic and mechanical systems. Been an Engineer, this was a great mental asset, which I took for granted, until it vanished, without trace, about two years ago. I have consulted a Neurologist, who ordered a EGG and a MRI of my brain. Everything looks normal. I have discovered and learned from many sources which are available on the Internet, in addition to several books I have bought from Amazon. It is actually a very interesting subject. I have now decided to pursue a reversal of my condition, through knowledge and graphic exercises, like "memory game cards", and some other. I would love to continue talking to you to share my discoveries and to follow details of your case. I will give you some recommendations and ideas which may help you, via email, if you would like to do so. Sincerely, George Frank Carrillo [email protected]

Dear Thomas: My name is George Frank Carrillo. I am 76 year old. I am a retired Technical Professor. During my professional career I worked for diverse companies as IBM, RCA, UNIVAC, Mead Johnson, etc. and for several other, including private and government entities. I had earned diverse professional degrees in Electronics Engineering, Information Systems Security, MBA, etc. Recently, I discovered that I have developed a certain degree of Aphantasia, even if my mind is as clear and powerful as ever. I can not create images in my minds eye. I was very surprised to find out this, because during my long life, I was always able to visualize vividly any type of complex designs, diagrams, mechanisms, and technical devices, to the degree of seeing them actually dynamically working and be able to modify them in my mind. I am very interested and passionate about learning about Aphantasia. I have subscribed to staging-aphantasia-staging.kinsta.cloud, purchased several books, and doing dedicated research. I would be very grateful if you can give me your advise to help me in my interesting quest of study about Aphantasia. Best regards, George Frank Anaheim, CA, USA carrillogeorgefrank@ gmail.com