What Is Aphantasia?

People who have aphantasia (sometimes also known as mind blindness) are unable to visualize things or form mental images when they think or imagine. While experts first discovered mind blindness in the 1900s, the term aphantasia was not coined until 2015.

Aphantasia is quite rare and only occurs in about 4% of all people. Less than 1% of people have the most severe form of aphantasia, where they cannot picture any type of imagery in their minds. Unfortunately, researchers don't exactly know what causes aphantasia to occur. But some experts suspect that aphantasia may be related to brain circuitry that processes visual information.

Scale of Aphantasia

The ability to imagine and create images in your brain varies from person to person. For instance, on one end of the spectrum, there are people with aphantasia who cannot visualize or imagine things at all. On the opposite end, some people may have hyperphantasia—a condition that occurs when you have an extremely vivid imagination.

In between these two extremes, there are people with phantasia and hypophantasia who experience low to moderate levels of vividness in the imagery can create in their brains.

Symptoms of Aphantasia

The exact symptoms of aphantasia often vary from person to person, especially since the condition exists on a spectrum. Some people with aphantasia will be completely unable to form mental images, while others can form vague mental pictures.

People with aphantasia may also experience some difficulties with other areas of their imagination. For instance, researchers in one study found that some people with the condition have involuntary flashes of images. The researchers also found that some people with aphantasia excel in more logical concepts, such as mathematics or verbal skills.

Cognitive Effects of Aphantasia

Research explains that people with aphantasia may experience several cognitive (thinking-related) concerns. Those with aphantasia may experience one or more of the following challenges:

• Difficulty with long-term memory
• Trouble remembering things in vivid detail
  
• Inability to recall memories from childhood and adolescence
• Problems with remembering other people's faces
• Poor work performance
• Increased risk of depression
• Limited ability to have dreams

On a positive note, people with aphantasia may have more protection from vividly remembering painful or traumatic events in their lives. This could be a benefit, especially if those memories are uncomfortable. This is especially true for people who have post-traumatic stress disorder or a history of violence, abuse, and discrimination.

Causes

While the exact causes of aphantasia are not fully understood, there is some evidence that the condition can either be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed later on in life). If you develop aphantasia as an adult, it may be the result of an accident, trauma, or illness. For instance, one case study followed an architect who developed aphantasia after experiencing a stroke that affected the posterior cerebral artery—the part of your brain that helps process images.

Some researchers also theorize that aphantasia may be a result of a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, or dissociative disorders. Other researchers suspect that people who have aphantasia may also have a family history of the condition, which makes them more likely to experience mind blindness.

Currently, researchers are trying to determine whether aphantasia is related to the way your brain circuitry is wired. Early studies show that people with aphantasia may also experience some traits of autism. But, more research is needed to better understand the condition overall.

Diagnosis

Although there is very little consensus on how best to diagnose aphantasia, mental health providers often use a variety of questionnaires, clinical interviews, and physical exams to learn more about your symptoms Currently, the most common way to determine if someone has aphantasia is to use the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire—which asks people to rate how vivid an image is based on a five-point scale.

Newer research is exploring whether there is a link between aphantasia and brain activity. Experts are trying to see if medical scans like functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) can help healthcare providers look for neurological (brain-related) differences in people with aphantasia. However, research is ongoing and more studies are needed before new diagnostic tools are available.

Are Treatments Available?

Most of the treatment options for aphantasia are experimental at this point. In fact, some experts argue that aphantasia is not a mental health or medical condition, so it does not need to be treated. That said, if your aphantasia occurs due to trauma or illness, your healthcare provider may treat the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Some researchers have started exploring if psychedelics (drugs that can alter your perception of reality) can improve mental imagery in people with aphantasia. However, these studies are in the early stages and much more research on the safety and effectiveness of these drugs is needed.

Living with Aphantasia

Living with aphantasia can be a challenging and distressing experience, especially for people who are unable to visualize or imagine the faces of loved ones or recall past events. If you have aphantasia, there are several support groups online where you can get advice and communicate with other people who are having the same experiences or symptoms.

For instance, there is an aphantasia support group on Facebook where members discuss their experiences and get advice. Meanwhile, the Aphantasia Network offers discussion groups to discuss symptoms and difficulties.

That said, not everyone with aphantasia experiences issues. In fact, some people may not even know that other people can see images. Instead, they may rely on their analytical thinking skills or strengthen other senses—like their hearing or sense of smell.

If, however, your condition is causing you stress or anxiety, talking to your primary care provider or speaking with a mental health professional (like a psychologist or psychiatrist) may help. They can help you work through your feelings, offer strategies to help you cope, and educate you about currently available treatments.

A Quick Review

Aphantasia occurs when you have difficulty imagining or creating mental images when you think. This condition is rare—as only about 4% of people worldwide have it. Unfortunately, researchers don't know what causes aphantasia. But the condition can sometimes affect your long-term memory and facial recognition skills. If you have aphantasia and are experiencing stress or anxiety because of your condition, talking to a mental health provider can help you get the support you need.