Emotion
Discovering you have aphantasia often accompanies a complex mix of emotions, ranging from confusion and sadness to relief and a heightened sense of self-identity. This discovery can be a pivotal moment, leading to profound personal insights and a reevaluation of one's cognitive experiences. Sharing these experiences with others who have aphantasia provides invaluable opportunities for connection and mutual understanding. It opens up a space where individuals can find common ground, exchange diverse perspectives, and cultivate community. This collection of personal stories is a testament to the power of shared narratives in navigating the emotional landscape of aphantasia. By diving into these accounts, you can witness the transformative impact of community support and the emotions accompanying the journey of understanding and embracing this unique cognitive trait.
The Memory Paradox: How Aphantasia Reveals Hidden Pathways in the Brain's Recall System
How a researcher's brain imaging study of people who can't form mental images led to surprising discoveries about memory accuracy, neural noise, and the multiple pathways our minds use to access the past.
The Aphantasia Stamp—Do You Blame Aphantasia for Your Perceived Shortcomings?
How I used a metaphorical aphantasia stamp to explain all of my perceived shortcomings.
Aphantasia and SDAM - Gifts of Healing
When your life has been filled with trauma, you have to wonder: could aphantasia and SDAM be the source of the trauma, or could they be the means of healing?
Is it really empathy? The potentially confounding role of mental imagery in self-reports of empathy
Empathy, or the ability to understand others' feelings, is linked to mental imagery. Research shows that people who can vividly imagine scenarios tend to report higher empathy when using verbal descriptions. However, this connection weakens when visual images are involved, particularly for those with aphantasia, who lack mental imagery.
Monzel, M., Keidel, K., & Reuter, M. (2023). Is it really empathy? the potentially confounding role of mental imagery in self-reports of empathy. Journal of Research in Personality, 103, 104354. doi:10.1016/j.jrp.2023.104354
Heavy emotions in any situation
Emotions can swing wildly between joy and despair, creating a heavy burden. Do others experience this intensity in their feelings?
I think we remember feelings, experiences but not sensations.
Do we truly recall sensations, or do we only remember the emotions tied to our experiences? Let's explore this idea together.
Maybe You Have SDAM?
Discovering aphantasia and Severely Deficient Autobiographical Memory (SDAM) is a roller coaster of emotions. Yet I learned to understand myself and others better.
Does aphantasia effect empathy?
Can a logical approach to empathy compensate for a lack of emotional visualization? Let's explore how our experiences shape our understanding of others.
Multisensory Aphantasia and Empathy
Can those with limited internal sensory responses still build meaningful connections? Share your experiences with compassion and relationships.
Empathy/Relating to Others with Aphantasia
Can others relate to struggling with empathy for real-life situations while feeling deep emotions for fictional characters?
Embracing Aphantasia
Aphantasia may be an imagination extreme but it occurs naturally on a marvellous spectrum of human experiences.
Fear or joy towards mental images?
Do mental images bring you joy or anxiety? Can you control them, or do they control you? Share your experiences!
Discover You: Navigating Therapy and Aphantasia
Realizing you have aphantasia is a discovery. Discoveries can be challenging. Tips for navigating therapy and aphantasia.
Aphantasia and mourning
Struggling to remember loved ones after loss? Share your experiences and tips for keeping their memories alive.
Lack of emotional connection
Feeling disconnected from emotions tied to memories without the ability to visualize them—anyone else share this experience?
Tribute to Alan Kendle
Alan Kendle was a true citizen scientist of aphantasia. He will be missed by many members of the aphantasia community to which he contributed much and by which he felt supported and sustained.
Emotions and aphantasia
Can a lack of emotional recall be beneficial? I find it helps me let go of grudges and avoid fixation on the past. Curious if others feel the same!
Blind in My Mind's Eye
What if we could see images in our minds while awake, just like we do when dreaming? A dream turned revelation changed this aphantasics life forever.
Losing My Mind's Eye
Standard outpatient procedure turned stroke, peripheral vision deficit and an unnamed loss of visualization. My mind’s eye was erased.
Peach Leaves
Nothing like picking peach leaves in absolute darkness. I’ve only known about aphantasia for a little over half a year, and it’s been difficult to come to terms with it.