I am a self-diagnosed multisensory aphantasic with a very clear case of SDAM.
So let´s consider my mind at rest. No images, no sounds. The only thing in there is my internal monolog. I know it is not really auditory because there is no volume control. If i want music it is me singing and me humming – nothing else.
It is nice and cozy in here. calm. peaceful. much better than those beaches they say you should think about when meditating. all those wave noises, no thank you. If i want total peace i just tell myself to stop talking.
what happens, however, when i step out into the world? Images, noise, bussle. too much, too much, I want to go home!
I am exagerating. Typically this only happens in places like street markets or other very transited places. I have to leave and find somewhere peaceful.
This latter condition is called Agoraphobia and i have been clinically diagnosed with this condition. So no suspect self-diagnosis.
The Agoraphobia diagnosis was very helpful for me personally and socially. i could explain my panic attacks. however, with my discovery of Aphantasia i realized it was not a phobia (irrational fear) but a sensory overload. In the Aphantasic womb that is my house things are calm. Probably a 1 on the stimulation scale. Outside in a busy, populated, noisy place it changes to a 10.
So my Agoraphobia seems to be no more than a consequence of my Aphantasia.
Are there others out there than have both conditions?
