AIBU to think aphantasia is not rare?

[Sunninginthecorner]

I was doomscrolling insta and a video came up about aphantasia.

Rather than explain what it is badly I found this:

Aphantasia is a condition in which people do not visualize, or see, images in their minds. This rare way of processing information and recalling memories affects about four percent of people. Close your eyes and imagine a fluffy cat. What color is the cat? What is the cat doing? When asked such questions, many people will conjure up a lifelike visual image. But others do not. People with aphantasia know they are thinking of a cat. They can even describe what a cat generally looks like. But they do so without “seeing” a cat in their mind. Instead of using their ‘mind’s eye,’ someone with aphantasia may think using words, numbers or ideas.

Brain scans show that people with aphantasia respond differently to sounds than people who use mental images.

I can’t see images and my very small poll IRL hasn’t found anyone who does see images.

IABU - you can see in images and it is rare
IANBU - you can’t see images and can’t believe it’s that rare

Faces are quite complex. What about a shiny red apple sitting on a chopping board?

That’s good glad you still enjoy it. I suppose it’s just hard to imagine either way as people will only ever know their own experience.

I don't think I see pictures in my head. I do dream and can remember scenarios and people. I also don't hear words in my head when I read (I think this is why I read so much quicker than my husband and why listening to an audio book would infuriate me as it's so slow!) I just read with my eyes and understand the meaning.

I don't see images, also I never have dreams - always wondered if they're connected

Again, I know what it looks like because I've seen it. But no, I don't picture it.

I'm the opposite and would pay money TO see images again. It's funny how people want the opposite 🤣

"You don't know what you've got until it's gone", as the saying goes...😞🤣

There's a physical test for aphantasia that involves recording eye movement when asking people to picture things in their minds and a large body of research coming out about it if you're interested in research papers.
They have tested people with diagnosed asd and those who have specifically proven not to and the % who had aphantasia was the same in both groups.
The assumption that the two were linked is/was quite common hence the experiments to prove/disprove the link and surprisingly enough there's no link, which i have both but my asd stepdaughter has hyperphantasia, she can even smell words (no i don't know what she means but apparently words have individual smells)

That's me! Can't see anything in my mind, annoyingly I really like yoga but the meditation bit at the end is just wasted on me. "Imagine a beautiful place, see the clouds moving, see the ocean". Nope, just can't do it.

Those who don't 'see' images - if you were asked to draw, say, a banana; where would that image come from?

So what's a hyperphantasicand what does it feell ike to be one?

Isn’t it fascinating how people are so different?

Most people 'hear a voice' or inner monologue as they think. Some people don't - alot of autistic people - people deaf from birth, non verbal etc

It is thought of as the norm, I grew up not having a clue what 'the voice in your head' meant.

I realized as an adult that I'm just in a minority that thinks differently. It's not even that unusual more like a left handed, right handed thing

I know what a banana looks like, so I could draw something that looks like a banana. What I couldn’t do is draw a specific banana, so the exact shape, the markings etc.

I don't see the images with my eyes no, because they're not there. I conjur up the image in my brain and my brain remembers what a fluffy cat looks like so it produces a generic 'image' in my memory. But it's not visual. And it's not a very sharp image. Like it doesn't 'look' like any specific cat that I've ever seen before. Just a feeling that you're thinking of a cat.

I don't really understand to be honest. Whether I've got that thing or not?

Yes they are linked I came on to say the same thing,

i also really struggle to visualise maps even though I am very well travelled. This inability to visualise where things are in relation to each other is related to aphantasia. It is possible to have one without the other though.

I play this online game, which helps a little and is fun: https://travle.earth/

If I’m asked to picture something in my head, I get a flicker of what it is. Like a snapshot. But it’s fleeting and unclear, especially if I’m supposed to add detail. I don’t have aphantasia, just terrible concentration. If I try to imagine myself on a beach, I might get the blue sky and the clouds, but once I move onto the warm yellow sand, that sky is gone🤣🤣

Exactly. We aren't walking around with no knowledge of what the world looks like! Our memories just work in a different way.

I have aphantasia too and you’ve perfectly explained how I can perceive form and movement but not visualise it. Like with the counting sheep analogy I can conceptualise sort of blobs moving and leaping over a fence but I can’t see a fence or sheep! Same with imagining a person walking it’s like I can sense the movement of their legs but not “see” it.

It’s like if I visualise a route I often walk, I’m not seeing it. But I can’t sort of “move” in my mind or follow a specific set of directions. It’s really hard to explain!

I have the task list too. The only time it goes quiet is when I’m away from home. It’s like my brain says ‘oh you can’t get any tasks done now’ and then it switches off that bit. I’ve started going away for a couple of days when I’m feeling stressed as it gives my brain a rest!

Yes, I love reading.

It's hard to explain as many people who see images thing those images are the same thing as imagination. But you can have a vivid imagination without images. (Realising even the word vivid relates to images!) Images are just one aspect of imagination.

As a child for example, my friend and I used to create imaginary worlds together, and I absolutely loved that and other imaginary games and I've always loved reading. I still feel transported to another world even if I can't see it. It's hard to explain.

Yes exactly this!

I see images in my mind. However, I can't imagine a face I've not see before. For example, if I'm reading a book, the character's face will be blurry unless the book had been turned into a film/series and I can imagine the actor.

Mine just switches gear/subject when away. But I suspect I'm adhd and it's how I process/cope with life in general.

I have never realised this, but I actually can’t visualise a cat 😂. I know it’s white but I can’t see a white cat. I wonder if a lot people have this but don’t realise. I’m sure the rate for ASD is similar too, but I am also sure it’s more common than stats show. Possibly the same here.

I'm was in your position a few years ago. Someone made a comment and I suddenly realised that the whole "seeing something in your minds eye" wasn't just a metaphor, and that everyone else had this superpower that I just didn't have.

I struggle a lot with faces as well. I once had a long conversation with someone, trying desperately to work out who they were. Eventually decided it must be some friend of my brothers. I walk off with DD afterwards, hoping to god I've managed to disguise the fact that I didn't recognise this person, and ask DD if she knew who it was. She looked at me like I was utterly stupid and just says "It's Dan. Your stepbrother Dan"

Oops!

DP also used to give me a lot of grief because I wouldn't notice if she'd had a haircut, because I didn't have a mental picture of what she looked like when I last saw her to compare her to.

There are advantages to aphantasia though. We tend to be very fast readers, because we're not picturing what we're reading. Also, it's a lot harder for us to get PTSD after a traumatic experience, because we can't relive the experience in the same way that others can.

Theres a good experiment I do with people to see whereabouts on the spectrum of aphantasic to hyperphantasic they are.

I say "Theres a ball on a table. Someone pushes the ball, and it rolls off the table onto the floor"

Then I'll ask some questions about it.

"What colours the ball"
"Whats the table made of"
"What sex is the person"
"Does the ball bounce"

Hyperphantasic people will generally instantly have the answer, because they already added those details when imagining the scenario. Someone in the middle of the scale will take a second or two to answer, as they go in and reimagine and backfill those details. Whereas properly aphantasic people will probably just give an annoyed "Fuck knows!"