Do you also have difficulty visualizing images? Let's learn about 'Aphantasia'!

Imagine I ask you to think of a red, juicy apple. Can you visualize it clearly, as an image? Or maybe you know what an apple is, that it is red and round, but you can't visualize it? While this may seem strange to most people, some people really can't visualize. That's what we medically call aphantasia .

What exactly is aphantasia?

Simply put, aphantasia is when your brain doesn't form mental images when you think or imagine. But experts don't consider it a disease, a disorder, or a defect. Instead, it's a personal characteristic of you. It's like whether you write with your right or left hand. According to current research, it's just a difference in the way your mind works.

Let's compare imagination to a TV.

• Some people's minds are like a black-and-white TV. They can see the images, but they're not very clear.
• Some others have a color TV in mind.
• It's like having a 4K HD TV in the mind of someone with the highest level of intelligence. Everything is so clear.

Are there varieties of aphantasia?

Yes, there are mainly two types of Aphantasia. To understand this clearly, let's look at the table below.

How common is this condition?

Current estimates suggest that between 2% and 4% of the population has the condition. However, it is likely to be much more common. This is because many people with aphantasia are unaware that their thinking is different from that of others. Some people say, “I thought ‘visioning’ was just a metaphor,” so the true number is likely much higher.

What kind of experiences does someone with aphantasia have?

This doesn't affect everyone the same. There are different levels of it.

• Different levels: Some people have complete aphantasia, which means they can never form images in their minds. Others can only form images when they try. But they may see images 'flash' suddenly when they are not thinking, or they may see images in dreams.
• Vision with eyes open: Surprisingly, about 15% of people with aphantasia can form mental images with their eyes open. It is not yet known why this happens.
• Memory effects: People with aphantasia may have a slight impairment in their autobiographical memory. This means that you may remember events that happened, but you may not be able to visualize the events as they happened. For example, you may remember a trip to the beach, but you may have difficulty visualizing the waves and sunsets you saw at that time.

What are the causes of aphantasia?

The exact cause of congenital aphantasia is not yet known, but several causes have been identified for later-onset aphantasia.

Congenital Aphantasia

It can be genetic. People with aphantasia are more likely to have close family members who have the condition. It can also be part of a concept called neurodiversity . Simply put, it means that the way your brain developed or works is slightly different from the brains of most people. This is not a fault at all.

Acquired Aphantasia

This is usually caused by an impact on the brain, especially damage to the occipital lobe , which is the part of the brain that is responsible for vision.

• Head injuries (e.g. Concussion)
• Stroke​
• Some drug use

Very rarely, this can also occur with certain mental illnesses . But when this happens, images can appear spontaneously, even if they cannot be intentionally created.

Is there a way to diagnose this?

A person with congenital aphantasia usually does not need a diagnosis because that is how they have always thought.

However, if you suddenly can't visualize, which is a condition called aphantasia, you should definitely see a doctor to find out the cause.

Doctors can use various tests for this:

• CT scans (Computed Tomography scans)
• MRI scans (Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans)
• EEG tests (Electroencephalogram)

In addition, there is a special questionnaire that measures the ability to create mental images. It is called the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ). This gives a score for the vividness of your mental images. A score of 16 is considered hyperphantasia (very vivid mental images). A score of 70 is considered aphantasia (absence of mental images).

Is there a treatment for aphantasia?

Since aphantasia is not a disease, it does not require treatment.

However, if you have acquired aphantasia, it is important to treat the underlying condition that caused it. For example, if it was caused by a stroke, the stroke itself will be treated. You can talk to your doctor about the best advice and treatment plan for this.

Is Aphantasia a Type of Autism? Or a Disability?

No. Aphantasia and autism are two completely different conditions. Also, according to current research, congenital aphantasia is not a disability.

It's like being left-handed. When most people in the world are right-handed, being left-handed is not a disadvantage. It's just a difference. Aphantasia is something like that.