Aphantasia Logo
Back to all discussions
Community

Join the conversation and share your experiences with the community.

Start a Discussion
Discussion Guidelines

Please remember to:

  • • Be respectful and constructive
  • • Share your personal experiences
  • • Ask questions if you're curious
  • • Help others feel welcome
You're not alone

Talk to counselors, coaches, and educators who already understand aphantasia — so you don't have to start by explaining what it is.

Find aphantasia-aware support
Aphantasia Logo

Building awareness and understanding of aphantasia through research, education, and community support.

About

  • What is Aphantasia?
  • What is Hyperphantasia?
  • Take Assessment
  • Getting Started
  • Newsletter
  • About Us
  • Contact

Community

  • Premium Membership
  • Find support
  • Discussions
  • Events
  • Visualize

For Professionals

  • Overview
  • Free Introduction
  • Counselor Training
  • Educator Training
  • List Your Practice
  • Pricing & Bundles

Resources

  • Articles & Stories
  • Videos & Interviews
  • Aphantasia Course
  • FAQs

Research

  • Research Library
  • Participate in Studies
  • Recruitment Services

© 2026 Aphantasia Network. All rights reserved.

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Aphantasia Logo
Back to all discussions
Community

Join the conversation and share your experiences with the community.

Start a Discussion
Discussion Guidelines

Please remember to:

  • • Be respectful and constructive
  • • Share your personal experiences
  • • Ask questions if you're curious
  • • Help others feel welcome
You're not alone

Talk to counselors, coaches, and educators who already understand aphantasia — so you don't have to start by explaining what it is.

Find aphantasia-aware support
Aphantasia Logo

Building awareness and understanding of aphantasia through research, education, and community support.

About

  • What is Aphantasia?
  • What is Hyperphantasia?
  • Take Assessment
  • Getting Started
  • Newsletter
  • About Us
  • Contact

Community

  • Premium Membership
  • Find support
  • Discussions
  • Events
  • Visualize

For Professionals

  • Overview
  • Free Introduction
  • Counselor Training
  • Educator Training
  • List Your Practice
  • Pricing & Bundles

Resources

  • Articles & Stories
  • Videos & Interviews
  • Aphantasia Course
  • FAQs

Research

  • Research Library
  • Participate in Studies
  • Recruitment Services

© 2026 Aphantasia Network. All rights reserved.

  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

A lot of problems with Aphantasia

March 5, 20221 min readByBirgit Eisinger-Wolf
Mental Health
I feel very limited by the aphantasia. I don't see any pictures, I don't feel any smell and I don't hear any sounds when my eyes are closed. In addition, I am very disoriented. the only thing I can see are black backgrounds with white clouds and flickering lights in white and sometimes purple. I would like to remember a lot of things visually, but I can't, I always need photos. I am very creative, but I can only paint with templates or directly in nature. From memory, this is not possible. I like to meditate a lot, but I can't create images, I have to think everything from old memories in my head, which is becoming more and more difficult. Coping with anxiety through psychotherapy is impossible because I can't visualize anything. Hypnosis also fails. I miss it so much and I don't know what I can replace this missing visualization power with.
I feel like I'm trapped in a dark hole, because I can no longer bring out wonderful impressions and everything fades more and more.

A lot of problems with Aphantasia

March 5, 20221 min readByBirgit Eisinger-Wolf
Mental Health
I feel very limited by the aphantasia. I don't see any pictures, I don't feel any smell and I don't hear any sounds when my eyes are closed. In addition, I am very disoriented. the only thing I can see are black backgrounds with white clouds and flickering lights in white and sometimes purple. I would like to remember a lot of things visually, but I can't, I always need photos. I am very creative, but I can only paint with templates or directly in nature. From memory, this is not possible. I like to meditate a lot, but I can't create images, I have to think everything from old memories in my head, which is becoming more and more difficult. Coping with anxiety through psychotherapy is impossible because I can't visualize anything. Hypnosis also fails. I miss it so much and I don't know what I can replace this missing visualization power with.
I feel like I'm trapped in a dark hole, because I can no longer bring out wonderful impressions and everything fades more and more.
Aphantasia Logo
D
Danny Solis•recently•edited
It seems like you have had a visual memory in the past, as it seems you know what it is you are missing. I have had it since I can recall. The struggle for me is getting others to accept I'm unable to see the world the way they do. Recalling events in the past for me as well is better than my partner that does not have Aphantasia.  I wouldn't even call it dark but an "absence of" and quiet. My meditations are refreshing; there are many forms of it, explore other types. See what is best for you. 
0
s
sofa00•recently•edited
Hi! Have you always had aphantasia or did you get it later in life? I used to have a vivid imagination and visualization, but now its all gone for me suddenly. I Feel like i am missing a big part of my life 
0