APHANTASIA

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Aphantasia is the phenomenon in which people are unable to conjure up an image in their mind.

 

It affects an estimated 1-3% of the population and is considered rare.

 

People with Aphantasia have no “Mind’s Eye” essentially their imagination is blind.

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Is there a link to Autism?

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Some evidence suggests that people with Aphantasia may also be more likely to be autistic or have autistic traits like different social skills & decrease in imagination due to their need for logic. It is not a mental illness but may represent a variation in cognitive processing & experience.

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How does Aphantasia affect memory ?

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Looking back at a memory would normally be like replaying a video in your mind but for someone with Aphantasia memories of an event is more like a list of facts. The exact nature of and impact of the condition is not clear but it is thought Aphantasia does have a negative impact on memory.

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HYPERPHANTASIA

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Hyperphantasia - Some people can form crystal clear images capturing complex details such as the design of the book cover, colour, font, words & pictures.

 

Linked to enhanced critical thinking & problem solving skills.

 

Can also be linked to heightened interception & anxiety, probably due to an increased need for predictability.

 

May take longer to process due to the vivid detail when recalled.

 

More common than Aphantasia.

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Hyperphantasia is mostly linked to sight describing someone's ability to view images but it can also be applied to other senses such as audio, smell, touch & taste!

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Phantasia

 

Some can form a solid mental image but with less detail as Hyperphantasia.

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Hypophantasia 

 

Some will only be able to form a basic mental picture showing only details that explicitly stuck out to them.

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