Tamara, I am 75 and just recently realized/learned that I have aphantasia. Now I am wondering about my years of taking acid - makes me wonder about what I saw. Since it was about 40-50 years ago, there are not much in the way of memories - but I am too old to try to revisit the experience. This kind of explains why I would forget people when they were not present (lost some girlfriends this way) - even right now, there is a woman I am interested in and I can't remember what she looks like (or I can't bring up an image of her) I can remember some of my dreams - one dream I forced myself to wake up fro, was me with my back to a cliff, standing on a ledge that was only 4"; I remember the image but can not 'see' the image - I am really confused about remembering the image but not being able to see it. This is all very confusing, sigh

Hey Tamara, thank you for being so open about your experience. It can be disorienting to discover something so fundamental about yourself so suddenly. Realizing that you have aphantasia can certainly feel like the world you knew has shifted unexpectedly. This kind of revelation can reshape how you understand your experiences, memories and so much more. I hope you might it comforting to know that many have found clarity and community through similar discoveries. The Aphantasia Guide (https://aphantasia.com/guide/) could be a valuable resource for you as you explore more about what aphantasia means for you. Included in the guide is a list of communities to connect with others who share your experiences. It offers insights and support that might help you feel less like the subject of a cruel joke, and more like a part of a community that understands. How are you feeling now that it's been a few weeks?

I experienced this same mind boggling realization that others have deja vu. I got aphantasia as a toddler to keep me from having lazy eye. My opthalmologist explained how I would have no depth perception because my eyes couldn't work together. The recent idea that I was also missing all the other senses memory was earth-shaking. I always said "I may only use half my mind, but I know twice as much about that half as anyone else!" Now who am I??? Every thing I know is in words or diagrams. I can explain (to myself) why I am a total aphant. I could help with research. I am currently retired and exploring neuro-plasticity and what strengths my visual perception issues may have also given me. Still learning and have not "got over" the feeling of being cheated somehow.

Tamara, I am 75 and just recently realized/learned that I have aphantasia. Now I am wondering about my years of taking acid - makes me wonder about what I saw. Since it was about 40-50 years ago, there are not much in the way of memories - but I am too old to try to revisit the experience. This kind of explains why I would forget people when they were not present (lost some girlfriends this way) - even right now, there is a woman I am interested in and I can't remember what she looks like (or I can't bring up an image of her) I can remember some of my dreams - one dream I forced myself to wake up fro, was me with my back to a cliff, standing on a ledge that was only 4"; I remember the image but can not 'see' the image - I am really confused about remembering the image but not being able to see it. This is all very confusing, sigh

Hey Tamara, thank you for being so open about your experience. It can be disorienting to discover something so fundamental about yourself so suddenly. Realizing that you have aphantasia can certainly feel like the world you knew has shifted unexpectedly. This kind of revelation can reshape how you understand your experiences, memories and so much more. I hope you might it comforting to know that many have found clarity and community through similar discoveries. The Aphantasia Guide (https://aphantasia.com/guide/) could be a valuable resource for you as you explore more about what aphantasia means for you. Included in the guide is a list of communities to connect with others who share your experiences. It offers insights and support that might help you feel less like the subject of a cruel joke, and more like a part of a community that understands. How are you feeling now that it's been a few weeks?

I experienced this same mind boggling realization that others have deja vu. I got aphantasia as a toddler to keep me from having lazy eye. My opthalmologist explained how I would have no depth perception because my eyes couldn't work together. The recent idea that I was also missing all the other senses memory was earth-shaking. I always said "I may only use half my mind, but I know twice as much about that half as anyone else!" Now who am I??? Every thing I know is in words or diagrams. I can explain (to myself) why I am a total aphant. I could help with research. I am currently retired and exploring neuro-plasticity and what strengths my visual perception issues may have also given me. Still learning and have not "got over" the feeling of being cheated somehow.