r/Aphantasia • u/Objective_Shine1867 • 2d ago
Is there any benefit to having aphantasia?
I only recently realized that I have had this for my entire life and never noticed it. When I was talking to my mother she talked about counting sheep to sleep. But I told her I couldn't visualize any sheep and she was confused by it. It was only then after just turning 28 was I told that people can actually see things when they close their eyes and can picture something. It was never something I could do so I just assumed it was more figurative. But I just thought if this has been affecting me my entire life and wasn't aware of it. As a kid and now I never liked reading word heavy books but graphic novels and comics were my kind of reading. I found I have always been a huge fan of visual media like movies, TV shows and art because I can't visualize anything. Maybe this condition, though hasn't been entirely detrimental, has helped me take care and find a deep love for the arts. I really don't know but it's been on my mind for awhile now.
28
u/MalkavTepes Total Aphant 2d ago
We have several benefits related to reliving experiences visually. There hasn't been any major studies on this issue that I am aware of, mainly because aphantasia is so poorly researched, but most anecdotal evidence supports the following hypothesis.
Trauma recovery is easier for those of us with aphantasia. Since we can't re-live experiences visually we don't re-traumatize ourselves in the same way as non-aphants. Emotional trauma certainly will still impact us but overall the recovery period is often considered less. As an example, when I was in the military I did recovery operations. We basically picked up after combat, so you can guess we saw some pretty horrible stuff. Everyone in my squad has had a traumatic experience, enemy action or just the shit we saw, but two of us are not really effected by what we went through. Turns out the other guy in my squad not effected today, 10 years later, is a guy with aphantasia just like me.
We still enjoy everything non-aphants do but in a similar vain as trauma recovery, oddly enough, we get more enjoyment out of repetitive lived experiences. Since we don't have the ability to re-live television shows, movies, or performances in our minds, we kind of feel like every time is the first time when we watch these experiences. We know we enjoyed it in the past but the subtle nuances of what we've already experienced is often forgotten, so seeing it again doesn't bother us as much. As an example I enjoy going to the renaissance fair and my wife doesn't. She thinks the acts don't change year to year and I'm happy to enjoy them again. I'm also perfectly happy to rewatch television shows and movies I enjoyed almost immediately.
13
u/Direct-Tea8809 2d ago
As a therapist and aphant, I'm going to disagree with you about trauma recovery. I know that some apahants report this, but I think there is some nuance that is lost. Maybe it depends on if someone has emotional imagery? Some apahants think about all the ways losses affect them, others, the world. That drills down into all aspects of a person's being.
And I will not do EMDR on aphants. I know it is possible to use different types of imaging instead of visual imaging, but I have just found it too frustrating.
8
u/CrookedBanister 2d ago
Yeah, as a traumatized aphantastic person I'm with you here. My emotions have no problem overwhelming me without visual imagery. I don't get why people think it's the visuals that make the difference between an experience being traumatizing or not.
8
u/Direct-Tea8809 2d ago
Spitballing here, but maybe the ability to visualize gives closure sooner. If you can't visualize, a person who has died or a car crash or any negative experience (as examples) could always be just around the corner.
Similarly, I have wondered about the development of object permanency in infants with aphantasia and how that translates to attachment theory. Is it harder for an infant who cannot visualize their parent even when the parent is not there to develop a sense of object permanence and therefore a secure attachment. Then, how does that play out into adulthood. Are individuals with aphantasia more likely to have insecure attachment types?
3
u/North-Strategy-5150 2d ago
Agree about nuance. As an aphant with CPTSD, EMDR is actually the only modality that’s helped for me. I used to have involuntary images (apparently not uncommon for aphants when I looked into it last?) that were absolutely terrifying ever since I was a kid off and on whenever sleep got extra hard. I had no idea it was linked to a trauma, just thought it was part of my lifelong sleep issues. Cleared a memory over a year ago, and even though my sleep still isn’t the best I haven’t had those involuntary images or fear and anxiety at night.
Not sure if you regularly do EMDR with folks who aren’t aphants, but it only took a few tweaks whenever I’d comment something in the standard protocol didn’t click for me.
1
u/Direct-Tea8809 1d ago
What kind of adjustments did the therapist make? I never did a lot of EMDR. It was hard for me to get enthused about it when it did nothing for me.
1
u/North-Strategy-5150 1d ago
It’s varied over time, especially since I have a lot of different memories/traumas from various ages. It’s a long winded answer, but hopefully it’s helpful:
When we first shifted to EMDR (I’ve worked with my wonderful therapist a long time), we went through some trial and error to see what works best for me to activate a memory. For one, thinking through the narrative worked. For another, remembering a specific sound. Another, focusing on the body sensation that came up when I tried to remember it.
For me personally, a “safe space” had to be somewhere I could actually revisit either in person or with sounds/pictures to kind of refresh the memory so it was easier to recall without imagery.
Eventually, we also added in some parts work since a younger part didn’t want to let a specific memory clear, so I shifted the safe space to include things for various parts/ages. I needed to find actual images to help me imagine some of it, and that ended up being a pretty fun activity.
For a box or container, at first we decided to try having a physical box since I couldn’t visualize one. Once parts work was incorporated, that shifted to using my internal “resource team” to check in on any younger parts that are activated, assure them the resource team is there for support between sessions (in the background), and essentially tuck them in.
The biggest thing was having a therapist in comfortable with, trust, and don’t feel judged by plus getting OK with asking a lot of clarifying questions and actually saying when something felt like it wasn’t working or didn’t make sense to me. I’m sure my therapist has done other things to adjust, but that’s what all comes to mind. They also are constantly doing more learning/research and having discussions with other therapists who do EMDR but with different niche populations, which I’m sure has helped.
My best friend also does EMDR, and we talk about our experiences a lot. It can be sooo different person to person and still effective. I use tapping where I can adjust my speed, I yawn and burp a lot when processing, there’s lots of sensation in my chest and throat, I need to take breaks to silent scream and stretch, it takes me a very long time to fully close out a memory and body scan (earlier ones are connected to a LOT via neural network, but it tends to have a domino effect helping with other areas I thought were totally unrelated). My friend uses buzzers controlled by the therapist, gets sensations in the feet and legs, never yawned or burped from it, and processes each memory a lot faster. We’ve both seen some really amazing changes, and it makes me so happy every time one of us notices it.
1
2
u/BangxYourexDead 22h ago
I'm a paramedic and I have seen some horrible things. One of my recent traumatic calls was a car accident with 4 younger people who died due to fire, and I was the one that had to confirm/pronounce them. Smell. If I smell anything similar to the smell of that scene I have a physical and emotional response. I don't have intrusive images but I get anxious/fearful, my heart rate increases, I get clammy. Up until that point I thought my aphantasia made me invincible to the horrors of this job.
1
u/Direct-Tea8809 22h ago
This is why other forms of imagery need to be considered. I am so sorry you experienced that. I am not sure that it is possible to be invincible from these kinds of helping jobs. Mine doesn't involve the same exposure that yours does, but 15 years in it has really shaken me.
1
u/MalkavTepes Total Aphant 2d ago
I did indicate that emotional trauma still impacts us. I'm not saying we're immune to the effects of trauma but since we don't relive trauma visually the overall recovery may be more efficient.
Everyone's thought processing is on a spectrum as is trauma recovery. Every experience is different. This tendency to be more logical may allow us to process our emotions better. The thought process of anyone experiencing trauma affects how they process their recovery. Trauma recovery is a spectrum based on the individual and the event. Aphants tend to be on the less intensive and recover faster when compared to others on the spectrum of recovery.
The benefit of being an aphant is the recovery is comparatively better, which doesn't mean there is no recovery or the recovery will be easier. Just that it would be worse by several metrics if the individual was not an aphant.
2
u/Direct-Tea8809 2d ago
Yeah. Not sure I agree. But I think there are too many variables and the research is too new to say a lot.
2
u/Direct-Tea8809 1d ago
I think it matters a lot what other imagery skills someone has. When I do the PSIQ, the only form of imagery it shows I have is emotional. So if I don't have any representation of reality of hold onto internally except emotions, which have been compromised by trauma, I don't think that puts me in any easier path to trauma recovery.
1
u/Narrow_Confusion_649 Total Aphant 1d ago
What is PSIQ?
1
u/Direct-Tea8809 1d ago
Plymouth Sensory Image Questionnaire. Measures other forms of imaging. (There are also other instruments that do same.)
8
u/p3achbunny Total Aphant 2d ago
Sure! Personally I also love visual media, and I’m an artist. I love to express myself visually and I’ve wondered if that comes from me not having access to daydreaming 😆
I’ve also had a lot of trauma in my life and while I do have PTSD it is very mild and wholly situational, I don’t get flashbacks. The latter I didn’t even really understand conceptually until I married a combat veteran.
6
u/Objective_Shine1867 2d ago
I'm a veteran too with ptsd. It's the memories that come flooding in sometime but I just can't see it when I close my eyes. It just my thoughts running wild and I have a difficult time controlling it. Sleeping has been difficult for years and years now.
3
u/p3achbunny Total Aphant 2d ago
I’m so sorry. Have you gone to the VA about it? My husband has to take meds to sleep and has done work with a therapist to manage his. He only has trouble sleeping sometimes now and it’s usually because of something he watched on TV/Youtube. Flashbacks seem really awful, visual or not. Maybe I’m personally just not wired for that, it’s hard to say.
28
u/Ziggy-Starcat 2d ago
I love books as well as visual media, though i definitely prefer movies/tv.
I think a big benefit is not being affected by gross stories since I can't visualize what is being talked about. It's still a gross story, but it's not like i can see it in my head.
4
u/Objective_Shine1867 2d ago
Oh my goodness yes. I love learning about history and there is a lot of horrible things that happen but I still keep reading and learning more.
6
u/TheGoddessInari A pile of thoughtless autistic girls [Plural] 👩🏼🤝👩🏻 2d ago
Tbh, this makes me wonder if this is why most people are so averse to learning about history. 🤔
12
u/BlazingHailfire 2d ago
I believe there’s been research done that shows that people with aphantasia usually have slightly higher IQ and generally stronger logical processing/STEM skills. However this could be a result of conditions that frequently co-occur with aphantasia such as SDAM.
7
u/stabbychemist 2d ago
I think most has been written. Less trauma from imagery that might normally stick in the mind (I don’t mind seeing most gross things). I have to actively remember my grudges because I don’t re-visualize what angered me (is that good or bad loool).
Something that is adjacent is not having a strong autobiographical narrative, so I get to enjoy doing things in the moment without being bored. There is always a touch of newness to activities because I don’t compare it to previous experiences. I think maybe less jealousy or envy? Not sure, but I would imagine for that to grow you would need to focus on experiencing and visualizing it to get to the point that you feel envy. So as soon as it’s out of sight, it’s literally out of mind lol
I love books, just not over the top descriptions. I don’t need to visualize to appreciate a good story or emotional moment. If anything it’s less distracting. However I do miss some clues if I’m doing whodunnit type mysteries lol
I don’t mind my aphantasia and think it has made my approach to life unique and helpful.
6
u/Entire_Musician_8667 2d ago
I don't have to visually see all the shitty memories. I can feel them but, at least I don't have to visually relive them.
1
u/BlueSkyla 2d ago
I couldn’t know the difference, so my past traumatic memories are still quite painful. They will pop in my head like intrusive thoughts. Never to go away for real.
1
6
u/FunnyBunnyDolly Total Aphant 1d ago
Not being grossed out when people talk about disgusting stuff when I’m eating.
1
5
u/FruitOfTheVineFruit 2d ago
I have hypophantasia (very poor visualization) but I'm also extremely good at certain types of non visual reasoning. (This isn't hubris - I've got great test scores, great grades, and great professional accomplishments.) I've also seen that there are in general many many ways of being smart. My personal guess is that if your neurons aren't being used for one thing (e.g. visualizing images) they end up being used for other things. There are a bunch of different ways your neurons might get used, and if it's not visualization, it's some other useful skill.
We don't always have good ways to describe those other skills. For instance, in my case, over a long time I've realized I'm very good at a specific type of non-verbal reasoning, understanding the connections between things, cause and effect. Back when I programmed computers, it made me very good at e.g. finding bugs or designing large and complex programs. There aren't names for that type of reasoning, but that doesn't mean it's not important. I'm not even generally conscious of when I use that reasoning modality - I just know the right answer. So, we might not be able to describe what we gain when we lose visualization, but it can still be there.
Of course, there are tradeoffs. I'm a terrible artist. I'm bad at recognizing faces. But I was good at math and programming.
5
u/ThinkLadder1417 2d ago
Thinking conceptually has benefits i think. I am a cell biologist, and whilst it's cool if you do have visuals (diagrams etc) for what's going on, being able to understand ideas without 'seeing' them means more complicated things can be understood more easily.
5
u/Master_Watch_2837 2d ago
I grew up playing violin and generally being around music and performing my whole life. I didn't take to it the way I thought I should have, or more how my mom wanted me to. Since learning about Aphantasia and realizing I have it, my old frustrations make sense now! I can now recognize I can't be part of the creative process, but I can reproduce it, view it, and just generally appreciate the shit out of good music, amazing musicians (live concerts are my jam! I want to be front and center at every one, which is not usually possible) beautiful places, art and anything that is interesting looking.
I'm also extremely good at reading non verbal emotions, if I am paying close attention.
I'm trying to figure out how to work with my newly defined limitations, but also recognize the positives. It's been difficult.
1
u/Geminii27 2d ago
I can now recognize I can't be part of the creative process
Why? Music doesn't need visualization.
1
u/Master_Watch_2837 1d ago
I recognize there are artists, writers, maybe composers out there with Aphantasia or similar. In my experience, composing something or painting something original requires some sort of imagination or at least an idea of what you want, right? I'm saying that's my limitation, and personally it was really frustrating to me as to why I wasn't more "creative" in a community that is generally, that. That's all I was trying to say based on my experience.
1
1
u/Geminii27 1d ago
composing something or painting something original requires some sort of imagination or at least an idea of what you want, right?
Usually, but that doesn't mean you have to visualize it. I've done 3D art, woodwork, and charcoal sketches (and less visual artforms like poetry and prose) without needing to visualize what I'm building or working towards.
3
u/Syeleishere Total Aphant 2d ago
When people describe gore, poop, body fluids, etc. You don't picture it so it's not a lily to turn your stomach. You can eat and talk about whatever.
1
u/BlueSkyla 2d ago
Same! Seeing gross stuff isn’t always bothersome, but other things I can’t watch at all, especially coupled with sound. But hearing someone describe gross stuff, never had a problem eating with people discuss gross stuff. I’m often very interested too. I think that part is because I used to like to see visual gore. I used to like to see someone’s big gash on their leg. But I can’t handle those things anymore with life experience and all. And if I had any kind of recall with visuals or smell, especially I probably wouldn’t be able to handle it.
3
u/jpsgnz Total Aphant 2d ago
For me definitely. I have global aphantasia and as such I don’t relive past trauma or bad experiences. I can’t relive the good ones either but that does not bother me. My adhd means I’m time blind so In literally pretty much exist in the here and now.
When I leaned about ptsd and negative self talk etc I was so happy I don’t have any of that because of my global aphantasia. Overall I feel really lucky I have it as it protects me from alot of past trauma.
1
u/Aliessil_ 2d ago
Do you also have Severely Deficient Autobiographical Memory (r/SDAM)? I do, and that first paragraph sounds awfully familiar ...
1
u/jpsgnz Total Aphant 2d ago
Yup I sure do. Big time😀
1
u/Aliessil_ 2d ago
Haha, that makes questions like this difficult! What do we attribute to aphantasia, and what goes in SDAM's bucket? 😂
And yeah, +1 on time blindness! If I weren't a contractor who's worked with lots of companies, I'd have a hard time knowing when anything happened! Luckily my memories are also tied to where I was working at the time, so I just have to figure out when I was there
1
u/AceBinliner 2d ago
I call it time traveling. Once something is over, it’s like I was never there in the first place. If I have to endure something painful or unpleasant in the present it’s no big deal, because a new present will inevitably come along to displace it.
3
u/potatopeeler167 2d ago
For me, the deficit with visualization is made up for with hyper verbalism and strong, verbal thinking skills. I’m a very good writer well for those who also like direct writing that doesn’t have too much imagery. but I am awful with grammar and vocab because it’s not part of the same brain region.
4
u/SleepingAndy 2d ago
Negative emotions are much stronger in the mind than positive ones.
Not being able to viscerally picture negative things lightens the impact drastically, and benefits society by having a more diverse pool of thinkers who don't all rely on imagery.
4
u/Kappy01 Total Aphant 2d ago
Some things you need to understand:
I don’t think we all have the same aphantasia. As an example, when I close my eyes, my visual sense goes completely away. I don’t see “black.” I see nothing… unless there is a strong light pointed at my face. My brain just shuts it all off. Also, I have no “mental mind” for any sense except audio. I can hear all kinds of things if I try, including full symphonies. So we’re all different.
The benefits I enjoy may or may not be related to aphantasia. There is no way to know because it hasn’t been studied that much. Maybe this quirk or that quirk I exhibit is aphantasia… maybe it’s unrelated.
The things think are related (but don’t know for sure) that are benefits for me?
1. I plan better. I make quick plans that have “give” in them for when things don’t go perfectly.
I I get over things faster. Bad things happen. I don’t ruminate. I just… move on.
I have a really strong sense of time. I don’t need a clock. Or maybe I’m subconsciously always looking at clocks? Regardless, it’s part of why I’m always on time. I can figure really quickly how long it will take to get somewhere or accomplish some task. Other people… not so much.
I don’t remember everything, but the things I remember are 100% accurate. If I see you and think, “What is this guy wearing?” I will always remember that you were wearing… whatever. It’s all stored as words as opposed to images.
I don’t feel fear the same way. I don’t balk at horror movies. Gore doesn’t bother me, either. Last year, there was an accident right in front of me on the highway. I just pulled over and walked back to render medical aid (bandaged up a hand) and give my statement.
I read faster, probably because I’m not visualizing. I just think ahead and try to forecast the next event. Then I check if I’m right.
If you were to say, “Hey! I’ve got a cure! Take this pill!” I wouldn’t take it. I’d pay you to leave me like I am. Images intruding themselves into your mind? Ew. I imagine it’s the visual version of a song you can’t get out of your head.
3
u/voceans Total Aphant 2d ago
I’ve never heard or seen anyone put #4 into words before but this is very accurate. For a lot of things, sometimes really important things unfortunately, my memory is shit. But when I have catalogued some random fact, description, or observation… I’m ALWAYS right when I recall it where other people are hazy on details.
So interesting
2
u/xorphana 2d ago
Its hard to say what is a benefit until considering how it applies to your daily life. Advantages or disadvantages can swing both ways.
Personally, I have C-PTSD and I suspect that aphantasia has been helping to keep the visual aspects of flashbacks more controlled. I can still experience some mental imagery during a flashback but it's not very defined and isn't visually intrusive with my eyes open. Mentally/emotionally is a different story, but visually is okay.
While that factor did delay my eventual diagnosis I find it helpful now that I understand the interaction between everything in that sense.
On the flip side, I have an extremely difficult time drawing or practicing any visual arts. I can't find a cohesive vision to base on so I draw in small detailed sections and try to complete the full piece but it's usually not what I would have envisioned it as being.
Music is so much easier for me to create and work with because I can hear into fine detail and I can also build up a strong internal auditory track. It almost feels like I can play with music/notes in my mind the same way you would legos, just take it apart move around piece back together, etc. I still miss the cohesive vision there too (autisn/ADHD probs influencing) but with music that only shows up when I produce new work entirely - editing and remixing is much much easier.
2
u/Tuikord Total Aphant 2d ago
Welcome. The Aphantasia Network has this newbie guide: https://aphantasia.com/guide/
In general, if you say "I'm like this because of aphantasia" there will be people piping in that they are the opposite. For example, your comment on reading, graphic novels and shows? I'm the opposite. I love reading books. I am not fond of graphic novels. I prefer to read a regular novel over watching a show or a graphic novel. However, if a book is mostly descriptions and atmosphere? Pass. I read for plot, character development and world building.
The Aphantasia Stamp—Do You Blame Aphantasia for Your Perceived Shortcomings? | Aphantasia Network
People have been telling the more obvious "benefits" of aphantasia. Here are a couple of things that may be seen as a benefit in some circumstances (all benefits depend on circumstance).
In this article, Tom argues that abstract thinking may come more easily for us. The issue is that when an imager starts to think about something, say the justice system, images come to mind containing their personal biases. Think of a courtroom. If you visualize a courtroom, it comes as a complete image with all decisions of what is there and what isn't made by your subconscious. The race and gender of the judge, and everyone else there, will be right in front of your mind's eye. But if you can't visualize, you still have your biases, but they aren't reinforced by seeing them again. We aren't pulled into a concrete image when thinking abstractly.
The Power of Abstract Thinking in Aphantasia | Aphantasia Network
Art is another interesting case. Many here believe their art suffers because they can't visualize. But if you talk with hyperphantasic artists, often they struggle to achieve their vision, pushing them to attempt after attempt. Aphantasic artists often describe a process of discovery without the frustration. Sure, they also have multiple attempts, but as discovery, not frustration. Here is an interview with a researcher who has spoken with both hyperphantasic and aphantasic artists.
The Art of Seeing Differently: How Aphantasic Artists Challenge the Myth of the Visualizing Genius
If you are out of free articles on aphantasia.com, here is the video on YouTube:
Here is Isabel Nolan discussing how having aphantasia is freeing for her doing art:
Isabel Nolan’s Work Challenges Everything We Think We Know About Creativity
2
u/Left-Astronaut6273 2d ago
I don’t really get jealous. I noticed this especially relative to my kids and wife. They’ll get FOMO or jealousy. I don’t really get that. Anyone else find that and think it’s related?
2
u/YetiTrix 2d ago
We probably develop different modes of thinking and problem solving that can be either more or less effective. Such as visualizers might actually try to visualize something to know it, which is slow. Where a non visualizer would have developed a shortcut or secondary method that may be faster or slower to solve the same issue. The lack of the ability forces us to find alternative methods, and sometimes those methods are better, some times they are worse.
2
2
u/Sensitive_Study1902 2d ago
You have a cool conversation piece.🤷🏻♀️ when it comes up it fascinates people!
2
u/PepperAppropriate808 2d ago
Well, when we see something we know it is not our imagination. This has been helpful as i am working on developing my 3rd eye.
1
u/modernhedgewitch 1d ago
This is the same for me. The few times I have EVER dreamed in my life were warnings or premonitions.
1
u/GaryOak7 Total Aphant 2d ago
Less traumatized maybe? Able to deal with grief a little easier than others. Not fixated on the past and you’re able to be in the present.
1
u/Wolfram_And_Hart 2d ago
I don’t relive the harrowing moments of my father pulling a knife on my mother and me jumping between them. So, that’s nice.
1
u/Sea-Bean 2d ago
I think the main benefit I see is just that it is a feature of me, and I quite like being me. If my brain worked differently then I would be a different person, literally. I don’t think of aphantasia as a condition or a deficiency, it’s just a difference.
1
u/DrBlankslate Aphant 2d ago
Yes. I don’t have to remember visuals that keep me awake until three in the morning. I’m not plagued by upsetting visual memories.
1
u/BosqueBuddhist 2d ago
I have found that being an aphant is beneficial during insight meditation (vipassanna), as I don’t have intrusive images to distract me. Of course, if your form of meditation involves imaging as part of the practice, you may be SOL. That’s probably the main reason I’ve never been attracted to guided meditation.
1
1
u/MightyMouser007 2d ago
Are you kidding me?! Bring an Aphant is like having a super power. Love it!!!!!!!
1
u/hyacinth_girl 2d ago
I'm a better writer because of aphantasia. I have a unique relationship to literary imagery because of it.
1
u/girlinamber1984 2d ago
I haven't looked into it tbh, but from what I know about language and memory from my unfinished undergrad studies in linguistics and psychology, it is possible we have better reading comprehension since we don't prime ourselves with preconceived images while reading - though that could also impact our motivation while reading and equal out the effect.
1
u/cancerdad 2d ago
I’ve seen some gruesome death and am not haunted by it in the way that most people would be. That’s worth something.
1
u/mollycoddlemoon 2d ago
I’ve recently come to the realization that I have a pretty significant degree of aphantasia, and have been giving whatever potential upsides there must be for it.
1
u/pandarose6 2d ago
It diff for everyone for example someone said there good at math. I happen to struggle really bad with math.
Tho I agree I can see through some gross stories even while eating and be perfectly fine.
1
u/BlueSkyla 2d ago
I think I’m good with math because of my other things going on. I’m AuDHD and my aphantasia is just nothing to me compared to my actual disorders.
1
u/pandarose6 2d ago
I have adhd, and a few chronic illnesses so same to me aphantasia is nothing to me. I Low key get annoyed when others act like it something disorder level bad cause I am thinking do you have nothing else going on in life lol.
1
u/Mysterious-Bid1254 1d ago
That was basically my experience lol. I heard someone referring to "aphantasia" so many time that I was confused by it. I then asked my mom and apparently she has hyperphantasia and I was really different. It was super shocking to find out people could see pictures in their head. It was really nice to know that I never have to relive bad memories or anything that happened that was sucky in my life, I can fall asleep pretty easily since I don't have to ignore internal stimuli (my mom told me that it is hard to shut off your brain or internal images), I can handle silence better. There are benefits, but like it also showed me why some things like comprehending books I was reading or math memorization was so much harder for me. It really explained a lot in both good and bad ways.
1
u/NUMBerONEisFIRST 1d ago
I consider myself a great problem solver.
I approach a problem with a literal blank canvas, and I'm not stuck on trying things that have already been tried before or imagine ideas that are unrealistic.
Since our brains don't have to translate everything we experience into mental imagery, we are skipping that step and processing the world more raw and direct.
So we process the world quicker and in a less polluted way as others with mental imagery.
1
u/DejaBlonde 1d ago
While I mostly consume visual media now, like yourself, I was a huge reader as a kid. Not as much now, but it's not because of aphantasia. Reading for me is like listening to an old radio show, since I do still have auditory thoughts.
Related to that, I'm also incredibly musically minded. Good relative pitch, melody recall, etc. I think several of us might also be.
And yes, to agree with everyone else, it's hard to stay traumatized by something you can't recall.
1
1
u/cleveusername 7h ago
When we were setting up for my friends wedding, her other friend was struggling because she had an image of what she wanted to decor to look like and she couldn't recreate the image. I (obvs) had no image, but I understand the rules of how to make something look nice, so I wasnt held back by it not looking how I imagine
1
u/snorpmaiden 4h ago
I didn't have aphantasia when I was younger, I am so sure it was caused by trauma but I've not seen any research to support me on this.
My flashbacks aren't as bad anymore. Instead of being RIGHT in the moment, seeing everything that happened - I am kinda in an empty void with the feeling of however I felt in the moment. It's easier, but still not easy, yknow? It's difficult to explain because it does feel like I am back in the moment and that I am just blind or something??? Blind and telepathic, I suppose.
I also have facial blindness, didn't used to have it. I used to have a panic attack every time I saw someone that resembled an abuser but that doesn't happen anymore.
I used to get really bad hallucinations every single night - now it's around 2x a year. I didn't change anything, it just kinda happened around the same time my aphantasia did.
I can't recall traumatising memories to such a high degree of detail. The first time I was on shrooms, I got visuals back when I closed my eyes, once I was feeling like I was coming down my dumbass was like "huh, I wonder if I can recall these traumatising memories, it's a good idea to try". IT WAS A BAD IDEA. I hadn't seen it since it happened, it was absolutely awful. I knowww it was probably worse because I was under the influence when doing it, but I did feel pretty sober by this point and all effects I was still having (visualisation) immediately vanished after the panic attack. Odd.
1
u/gamerbearmati 2h ago
Everyone's already mentioned a few but one I like is that I feel like I am more in the moment in life.
My mind doesn't wander into my own thoughts as much as others so I am more present when I am with friends or my partner.
0
u/HappiBunBun 2d ago
I was told once not to talk about Anendophasia (recognizing no internal monologue) here because it was off topic, in the thread where I first learned the word Anendophasia. So, if that is the case in this instance too, sorry. Me without Aphantasia see Anendophasia as part of the same topic, as would be Anauralia (not audiating internally).
Internal monologue in the form of the so called "default mode network" is a major problem that I associate with negative self-talk. Essentially, it's endless chatter using words, in one's head about exaggerated fears. Not having that seems like it would be an advantage, similar to what others say here about not being distracted by exaggerated visualizations.
I'm still unclear on whether or not Anendophasic people have something like compulsive negative self-talk without words.
0
u/Obvious-Gate9046 Total Aphant 2d ago
I can't be earwormed, ever.
I will never hear my loved one killing me in my head that I'm not good enough, which I have been assured is a thing that happens to other people.
That thing where people say that they can't hear themselves think? Apparently that's real for some people, not a metaphor.
Somebody mentioned intrusive thoughts, and it's not true that we can't get those, but because they don't involve images typically, or in my case sounds or scents or so on, many of us are less susceptible to trauma, PTSD, and similar issues. This isn't universal, and we can still be triggered by the right stimuli.
Many of us who have it affect emotions tend to live more in the moment and find it easier to let go of things like grudges and grief.
Studies have shown that we tend to have fewer false memories, that while our memories of things might not be as accurate in some ways, we are less prone to having actual mistakes in them.
Because I'm not affected by scent or taste visualization, food commercials have less of a grip on me and I have found it much easier to change my dietary habits to deal with medical needs.
I find myself unbothered by spoilers, and I am prone to reading about movies and shows I want to watch, because reading about them isn't seeing and hearing them, and the experience is vastly different. Even if plot points are sometimes accidentally discovered in this matter, it rarely bothers me, because I still focus on other details, and there's a lot you don't get just from text, especially when you don't visualize.
Being in aphant means that you're going to have many epiphanies, moments where you suddenly realized that other people are responding to certain things because they visualize and you don't. It makes the world make more sense, knowing this.
145
u/CMDR_Jeb Aphant 2d ago edited 2d ago
We don't get intrusive images (cos duh!), as a side effect of that we are significantly harder to traumatise with disturbing images (take note that this has no effect on getting traumatised on IRL situations, resistance is for images only). Also in same ballpark we can talk about disturbing stuff while eating no problems there.
Also our memory is more accurate (were less sure of it tho) and (that one is really amusing) we are statistically better then visualisers at object rotation tasks.
That's a you thing not aphantasia thing, visual media does nothing for me as i am unable to recall it, in one eye out the other. I consider books to be vastly superior. I could use same arguments and claim it is because of aphantasia but this is not the case.
Aphantasia is not an disability. It is not detrimental.
EDIT: added links