Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Has anyone ever lost the ability to see in their mind's eye? (Aka Aphantasia)

3 replies

NooNooHead1981 · 26/05/2023 21:58

I used to have a wonderful and very vibrant, vivid imagination and mind's eye, along with a busy mind in general with lots of songs, music, earworms, great conversations etc. I lost this when I had a mild traumatic brain injury and post concussion syndrome 8 years ago. 💔

Even now, I struggle to cope with the loss. It's almost as though a part of my "soul" is missing. (I realise that probably sounds slightly OTT and melodramatic!)

I can no longer use my mind to envisage the future, go back to the past, or see people and things that I want to. Not being able to picture my children in my head is heartbreaking.

If anyone else has ever had this happen to them (or someone you know), how did you or they accept and deal with it?

Even reading books is less enjoyable now. I loved immersing myself in a good novel, picturing the words and scenes as they were described. It is pretty hard work reading long paragraphs of prose now.

Any similar experiences are gratefully received.

OP posts:
Oneborneverydecade · 27/05/2023 07:42

I have aphantasia but afaik I've always had it. It sounds really tough. Do you know if it's something that might return?

I very occasionally see pictures as I drift off to sleep but as soon as I'm aware they're gone, I have zero control. That's weird to me bc it feels like if it can happen, why doesn't it.

ooblavay · 27/05/2023 08:02

Yes and I don't know why which also worries me. I'm assuming a lot of it is due to having a very stressful life and not a lot of room in my head at the moment!
I can still just about 'see' things with a fair bit of effort, but whereas once this would be very vivid and colourful I can only now see shadows and static.
Very occasionally if I'm really tired when falling asleep it may pop back, but then I have very little control over it. Very odd.

NooNooHead1981 · 27/05/2023 12:39

Oneborneverydecade · 27/05/2023 07:42

I have aphantasia but afaik I've always had it. It sounds really tough. Do you know if it's something that might return?

I very occasionally see pictures as I drift off to sleep but as soon as I'm aware they're gone, I have zero control. That's weird to me bc it feels like if it can happen, why doesn't it.

I'm not sure if it will ever feel the same though, even if it did return. It's likely to be because of brain damage from the head injury, and i know some with acquired aphantasia got it after a head injury or stroke 😕

I feel so sad about it.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread