Judith DeWitt

I have aphantasia and have been married 39 years (to the same man).I could not and cannot "picture" a future with him, but I can use words to imagine or discuss future plans. Although I cannot visualize, there is nothing wrong with my intellect.When I plan an event or a trip, I look at all eventualities, positive and negative and go prepared for the best and the worst, and of course everything in between.I guess the same can be said of our marriage. Admittedly, my husband is a patient man and perhaps should be canonized/sainted for putting up with me all these years, but my lack of ability to "picture"our future together has never stood in the way of our relationship.

Hello Øyvind,Anything further on your research?

Hi Lewis, I replied to Øyvind's original post about his study, for which the deadline was almost six months ago. I have heard nothing from him since then. As I said in my reply to his post - you should be able to see it above - I have a Bachelor of Musical Arts in Voice. I also play piano and violin & viola passibly, viola well enough to play as a community member, and not last chair, in the International Symphony Orchestra (Canada-USA). If you have a questionnaire or other research, I'd be happy to assist. Judith

I am 68 years old and only discovered the name "aphantasia" recently.When my sister and I were young - perhaps 8 to 10 - my mom used to put 12 to 20 items on a cookie sheet, then give us a minute or two to look at and memorize them. She would then cover the items with a towel and tell us to write down everything we could remember. I was not very good at it, because I had to memorize a word list since I couldn't see anything in my mind.I never could figure out how to visualize when being talked through a relaxation exercise where, for example we were to imagine ourselves on a beach in the sun, listening to the waves, etc. I prefered the methods that had you tense a muscle group then relax it.Whenever I read books, I always had difficulty remembering which character was which if the story skipped around a lot, so I would make descriptive lists to help me keep track.And I've always had difficulty memorizing music and keeping it memorized - I don't hear it in my head when I'm not singing or playing it or listening to a recording or live performance.Then about 12 years ago, I was learning prayer of the imagination - insert yourself into a Gospel story - and I wasn't able to do it. I had no sensory experience at all. When I asked my spiritual director, he said "Nonsense! Anyone can do this. I want you to try something for me. Close your eyes and picture your husband's face in your mind's eye." Needless to say, I didn't see anything, so we agreed that I could just use the words and my feelings to enter the story.Later, at a book club meeting, I asked people about their experience when reading a book and they all told me gruesome scenes were a horrible experience for them and sometimes made them feel physically ill. I, meanwhile, would, for example, be feeling sorry for the poor horse that was killed.I've always been able to discuss bodily functions, injuries, blood and guts and other gross stuff while eating because I never saw/tasted/etc. any of it. I still sometimes forget the aversion people have to such discussions at the dinner table.I do, however, dream in colour with all senses. And I easily recognize people's faces although putting a name to a face has always been difficult and I can forget someones name randomly.About a month ago, my husband read an article on aphantasia and sent it to me asking if it sounded like me.Indeed it did and does. So, I am self-diagnosed with aphantasia. It sure explains a lot and reassures me that I am not lacking in intelligence, merely in the ability to visualize.

I have a B.Mus.Ed with a major in voice. I am currently taking voice lessons and preparing to sing 9 solos in 5 classes in our local festival, plus a couple with my teacher's small ensemble.I also take violin and viola lessons and play viola in our local symphony and teach voice, piano and violin.My husband read an article on aphantasia about a month ago and sent it to me asking if it sounded like me.I had discovered about 10 years ago that my inability to visualize or hear, see, smell, touch are not experienced by most people I know. I had it confirmed in our community book club shortly afterwards.I would be happy to answer a questionnaire for you.

I danced (modern, jazz and folk dance) and could remember patterns for some reason, but only if I had music to link with it. I used word descriptions to remember the moves.I also did TaeKwonDo as an adult and managed to achieve 2nd dan. I had to do patterns repeatedly to memorize them, and again, I used words, physical/muscle memory and sometimes orientation. I always had difficulty when our instructor would say visualize this attack so that you can do the defence properly.Learning how to move properly when doing wieght training came relatively easily since most of it is pretty logical with body alignment and the way bones and muscles work together.A lot of this stuff, once it is learned is stored as physical memory, so no need for the visual.Unfortunately for me, I need to review regularly if I want a physical skill to stick.