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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
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Research

  • Research Library
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© 2026 Aphantasia Network. All rights reserved.

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SDAM vs. Shame

1 min readByJosh Camden
I know there is a lot of talk about SDAM potentially reducing the likelihood of PTSD but has anyone considered Shame?
I have SDAM, but no shame. Am i alone or have you considered shame? Its possible that i don't feel it for other reasons. I've been an outcast for my entire life, and i stopped trying to fit in when i was very young. When committing a social faux pas (that i'm aware of) i might feel bad but not with shame; instead i feel fear for the potential response.
Shame is an internal sense of worthlessness or inadequacy. This isn't something i've felt.
According to google, its possible to feel shame in the moment with SDAM, but because we don't experience Episodic Memories, our past experiences are supposed to be disconnected from the feelings of shame.
Thoughts?

SDAM vs. Shame

1 min readByJosh Camden
I know there is a lot of talk about SDAM potentially reducing the likelihood of PTSD but has anyone considered Shame?
I have SDAM, but no shame. Am i alone or have you considered shame? Its possible that i don't feel it for other reasons. I've been an outcast for my entire life, and i stopped trying to fit in when i was very young. When committing a social faux pas (that i'm aware of) i might feel bad but not with shame; instead i feel fear for the potential response.
Shame is an internal sense of worthlessness or inadequacy. This isn't something i've felt.
According to google, its possible to feel shame in the moment with SDAM, but because we don't experience Episodic Memories, our past experiences are supposed to be disconnected from the feelings of shame.
Thoughts?
Aphantasia Logo
K
Katinka Clementsmith•recently•edited
I certainly have felt shame, but maybe not long term. A faux pas might keep me up all night, especially if I may have accidentally hurt someone's feelings, but things I did years ago, no. I don't have feelings of regret either. I generally chalked that up to just being a decent person...now you have me second guessing myself.
1
S
Scott Scowcroft•recently•edited
I am known for "forgiving myself and not holding a grudge," which I now attribute to SDAM. As for shame? Maybe yes, if there's such a thing as "semantic shame."
1
N
Neal White•recently•edited
I can feel shame, but I think it may be less than others, and I don't dwell on it. My wife has remarked on this in the past, "Don't you feel shame?"
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L
Liên Vũ Kim•recently•edited
But for my aphantasia, I tend to get embarassed in social settings, because I tend to think deeply about situations without activelt imagining them.
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