Articles
Stories from people with aphantasia, what the research says, and things to try.
Describing What You Cannot See—A Horror Writer With Aphantasia Explains His Process
As a horror writer with aphantasia, I can’t visualize the creepy skulls I write about. Yet, I still describe vivid scenes by focusing on sounds, smells, and emotions. My imagination doesn’t need visuals to create gripping stories—character depth and atmosphere are my strengths.
Chad Anctil · October 2024
Ekphrasis: The Ancient Art of Evoking Vivid Mental Images
Did the ancient Greeks know some people can’t create mental images? The forgotten history of ekphrasis challenges our assumptions about imagination and offers surprising insights into our image-saturated world.
Jennifer McDougall · August 2024
Writing Fantasy Without a Mind's Eye
Aphantasia, living without a mind's eye, doesn't hinder creativity. Despite my inability to visualize, I wrote and published a fantasy novel, proving creativity thrives in unique ways.
Frank Schutz · June 2024
Intrusive Thoughts Without Imagery
People with aphantasia can’t visualize, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have intrusive thoughts. Intrusive thoughts without imagery can be a whole-body, terrifying experience.
Liana Scott · May 2024
Eclipsing Aphantasia: A Journey of Discovery and Memory from the 1963 Solar Eclipse
In July 1963, Alice Grebanier's observation of a total solar eclipse marked a pivotal moment in her life. This event, merging scientific discovery with profound reflections on memory and emotion, showcases how moments of discovery can eclipse the limitations of memory recall in aphantasia.
Jennifer McDougall · April 2024
Memories Without Imagery—Remembering Outside the Lines
People with aphantasia may struggle with memory recall. This may be because our memories are image-free. But, just because we can't see our memories, does that mean we don't have them? The ability to visualize is not a prerequisite for remembering rich experiences.
Diane Currie Richardson · March 2024
How Our Invisible Differences Can Enrich a Marriage
Whether you’re an aphant or a visualizer, marriage, or any loving partnership, is about commitment. Among other things, commitment means respecting each other’s differences and working through them lovingly.
Frank Schutz · February 2024
How Aphantasia Can Make You Seem Insensitive
We’re not — aphants don’t see the world the way most people do. Our brains work differently.
Mark Farrar · February 2024
Understanding Your Aphant
How do you support someone when they suddenly realize they've been blind their whole life? What about when it's a blindness most of the world has never heard of and many don't believe exists? It's called aphantasia. Let's talk.
Tammy Cardwell · January 2024
I Have Aphantasia: My Brain Is Different, and That’s Totally Fine
Many people dread the “what’s the most interesting thing about you” icebreaker question—but not me. I always have the perfect answer, "I have Aphantasia."
Lara Wellman · December 2023
Do Opposites Attract? Exploring Aphantasia and Hyperphantasia in Marriage
When I learned that I had aphantasia and that my husband of 40 years has hyperphantasia, it gave the idea “opposites attract” a whole new meaning.
Liana Scott · November 2023
The Aphantasia Stamp—Do You Blame Aphantasia for Your Perceived Shortcomings?
How I used a metaphorical aphantasia stamp to explain all of my perceived shortcomings.
Michael Swanson · November 2023
John Green Aphantasia Discovery: Shining a Light on the Mind's Eye
Best-selling author discovers aphantasia. Discover the buzz behind John Green aphantasia discovery and its significance in the community.
Aphantasia Network · October 2023
Learning and Remembering, With or Without Aphantasia
Memory is tricky whether you have aphantasia or not. Here are some strategies you can use to learn and remember.
Alice Grebanier · September 2023
Aphantasia, Neurodiversity, and Healing
A psychology practitioner begins to bridge the gap between practitioner and client in relation to aphantasia.
Rebecca McHale · August 2023
Can Aphantasics Use Imagery to Heal or Improve Performance?
From guided imagery to imagined athletic practices, are aphantasics disadvantaged because they lack a mind’s eye?
Jim Collison · July 2023
Discovering I Have Aphantasia
A clinical therapist with total aphantasia, mental illness, autism, and other neurodiversities shares her perspectives and strategies.
Neesa Sunar · June 2023
