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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be freaked out, Can't imagine images...

167 replies

Slappadabass · 14/10/2019 19:42

So I came across a post on here about aphantasia, not been able to imagine or picture a image in your mind, I can't, but I'd never thought about it and thought it was the norm until now.
I've been trying to picture my DC (amongst other things) in my head, I know what they look like, could give you every little tiny detail about them, but can't imagine their faces, I can't imagine anything.
I don't know how I've not realised people can do it but I can't until now.
AIBU unreasonable to be freaked out? Shock apparently there's a fair few people on here with aphantasia, anyone?

OP posts:
Pepperwand · 14/10/2019 20:05

My mum has this, it's very common I believe. I'm quite jealous as I'm the total opposite and have a really vivid, visual imagination. I often can really freak myself out just thinking something like "oh it's dark and I'm in bed....what if I saw a demon standing in the corner of my bedroom." It's so vivid I can almost see it, I can picture every tiny detail and then I get really scared. I'd love to know how to turn my brain off sometimes but it just does it!

DobbyTheHouseElk · 14/10/2019 20:06

My friend and her mum both have it. Hasn’t held her back, she’s got a really top job. Although she can’t ever remember how to get to my house. Have to give her directions each time and then go and find her.

Clafairymon · 14/10/2019 20:07

@Pepperwand this is me to. I can visualize horrible things that I have never seen

PinkiOcelot · 14/10/2019 20:08

I didn’t realise this was a thing. I can’t see anything in my mind. I didn’t realise people could.

Original poster
Slappadabass · 14/10/2019 20:08

I don't know how I've managed to get to my 30s without realising!
Obviously I'm a bit dim too haha!

OP posts:
maddening · 14/10/2019 20:12

Do you dream?

MarjoryMinor · 14/10/2019 20:14

I discovered this about myself a couple of years ago. I genuinely thought that picture this was a figure of speech, I didn't realise people actually could!
An Ed Psych I know pointed out that I have an abysmal visual memory. I can tell you conversations I had with people almost word for word, where they were sitting, if they were relaxed or uncomfortable, if they have any learning or comprehension difficulties etc but couldn't describe them physically to you to save my life. In fact I am banned from trying to describe people at work as I get it so wrong!

Original poster
Slappadabass · 14/10/2019 20:15

Yes I dream, only remember my dreams every now and again though.

OP posts:
Oakmaiden · 14/10/2019 20:17

I find mental images really difficult to build. But often I kid myself that I have built an image because I talk a lot while trying to do it. So when ?I was trying to do the red star thing I kept saying red star - and at one point had a vague memory of what the chart looked like that I almost/maybe saw - but I couldn't just picture a red star.

That said - my son says he can't picture anything and insists he also never dreams images. I do (I think!) see images when I dream. Unless I am just narrating very effectively in my sleep, I suppose...

TheDarkPassenger · 14/10/2019 20:20

I’m the opposite too and have a crazzzzzy imagination. Not sure which is best tbh! I couldn’t imagine not seeing anything in my head though!

BMW6 · 14/10/2019 20:21

Perhaps you are normal OP and it's those that can mentally visualize that are abnormal!

TheDarkPassenger · 14/10/2019 20:23

Didn’t really understand the test but Googled it and I’m a firm 6

TheDarkPassenger · 14/10/2019 20:24

@BMW6

I have bipolar which of course, people sometimes hallucinate with so you could well be correct!

Sammy867 · 14/10/2019 20:25

I see the pictures very vividly. When I’m reading a book it’s better than watching a movie sometimes.

Also, when I had exams at school and university I used to “see” the book in my head, flip to the page and read the answer on the page to write it down. I also do it with novels I read, if you start to read the page I can flip through the book in my mind and know exactly what comes next.
I didn’t realise people couldn’t see these things until I was teaching dd to read and she’s the same kind of learner as I am and my sister and husband thought I was mad as they can’t see it

underneaththeash · 14/10/2019 20:26

I have it too and find it really interesting that other completely sane people can actually see things in their heads.

Although it does make some things slightly more difficult, I actually like my nice clear mind. I have great concentration, I'm very analytical and find it easy to think clearly and quickly in a wide range of situations. I'm exceptionally good at the visual part of my job - basically picking up abnormalities in the eye quickly.

SugarPlumLairy2 · 14/10/2019 20:27

For those of you worried that your aphantasia is affecting your memory or sense of direction, I’m easily a 6 on that test, have a memory like a sieve and can get lost 2yards down a straight road. So don’t worry, you’re doing fine, better than fine, some of the things my imagination brings up in glorious detail.....😱🙄😒

StringyPotatoes · 14/10/2019 20:28

@Oakmaiden
Your description of talking so much you think you have it is me!

I don't know the answer to the star test... I know what a red star is and could easily draw you one but ask me what I see when you say red star and my completely honest answer would probably be "well....I'm looking at you so I see your face".

I too have absolutely no sense of direction and honestly got lost in the tiny village I have lived in for 4yrs when I passed my test and drove rather than walked for the first time.

My ability to describe people extends as far as "They have shortish, brown hair...." and even then I don't always get that right. But I'm a pro at learning names!

I "feel" a book I'm reading and am very jealous of those who say they have a whole cinema in their heads. I don't get it at all!

StringyPotatoes · 14/10/2019 20:29

@Oakmaiden
Your description of talking so much you think you have it is me!

I don't know the answer to the star test... I know what a red star is and could easily draw you one but ask me what I see when you say red star and my completely honest answer would probably be "well....I'm looking at you so I see your face".

I too have absolutely no sense of direction and honestly got lost in the tiny village I have lived in for 4yrs when I passed my test and drove rather than walked for the first time.

My ability to describe people extends as far as "They have shortish, brown hair...." and even then I don't always get that right. But I'm a pro at learning names!

I "feel" a book I'm reading and am very jealous of those who say they have a whole cinema in their heads. I don't get it at all!

I also can't do mental arithmetic as the numbers won't "stay" in my head long enough.

SpringFan · 14/10/2019 20:30

Me too. I can see absolutely nothing in my mind, and I don't dream in pictures. I really struggled with things like Yoga classes etc as I can't visualise anything. However I remember details - but verbally not as pictures. I am really good at recognising people from their voices.
I definately don;t "get" fantasy novels- I know novels are imaginary but I don't "get" things like disc world or the Lord of the RIngs. Just tedium for me.
I got to 60 without knowing that people really saw pictures in their minds eye- I thought it was just a phrase.

mumwon · 14/10/2019 20:30

there is no such thing as normal - so I really wouldn't worry , many people, for instance cant recognise faces & really have to learn - consciously -how to recognise those people closest to them, but on the other hand they might have - for instance - the ability to remember facts or information -but not birthdates- we are all different. The only issue is where this difference makes it difficult to live independently or makes daily living & working difficult, or it causes them daily distress. many people have these glitches & if you have only just discovered it & have been managing ….

maddening · 14/10/2019 20:31

Are your dreams in pictures?

HappyintheHills · 14/10/2019 20:38

YANBU I’ve only just realised I have this, and appalling inability to recognise people I haven’t met more than four or five times.
I’ve probably had this for all of my 50 odd years Confused

DareDevil223 · 14/10/2019 20:38

My son has aphantasia, he told me that if he's not directly looking at me, he can't picture my face and wouldn't be able to describe me. He is brilliant at maths and generally great academically but he has no visual imagination.He's dyspraxic as well, I don't know if there is a link.

Jellybeansincognito · 14/10/2019 20:39

Oh this is interesting, and definitely me. It’s weird

DareDevil223 · 14/10/2019 20:44

Dyspraxic I mean!

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