We Aphantasics are generally more prone to critical thinking. That's part of why I do believe in God. Do you know the odds of the Physics of the universe even allowing the possibility of life? This universe that we live in does allow for that. Do you know the odds of this universe producing life as we know it, by chance + time? It's easier to believe in God. But that is not why I believe in him. I believe in Him because he is a personal God who does reach out to us if we are willing to put away our self centeredness long enough  to see his glory in the universe and even more, within our selves because he created us to be in his image so that he could communicate with us and we with him.

Hi Jess, Thanks for being willing to share this difficulty! I have always known I was unable to visualize the way other did and now I know that I am a complete all senses aphant. I am quite intelligent and have been very successful both academically and professionally (I'm retired now). However, there are a number of things that might make one question my intelligence. For instance, I never could memorize the multiplication tables. I finally realized that I could compute the results as fast or faster than most of my friends could recall the memorized answers. Consequently I gave up memorizing them! I think that is connected to aphantasia -- I think. I remember a birthday, well not really, I remember a time when I had a birthday coming up and realized I didn't know how old I was. I put a lot of effort into getting someone to tell me that without having to admit I couldn't remember!! I did finally overhear an adult mentioning that my 13th birthday was coming up. That is all I remember about my 13th birthday! That may have been connected to aphanasia, but I tend to think I just didn't really care that much about it. And Yes, I have always had to think about it to remember which way was right and which was left. I can't say it has been a problem, because I could always figure it out, but even today at 71 I have to think about it. Many tricks: The hand I write with, the way I turn my care into my driveway is what I have been using lately. Is that connected to Aphanasia? I have no idea. By the way, I am very good with directions and have no trouble with North and South etc. But I don't like directions that use landmarks. They just confused the issue. I hope you find something that works for you! :)

Hi Rit Kas, I have complete aphantasia across all senses and have been aware of it as far back as I can remember. I am a big reader. I will say that much of what I read is not fiction. I read technical stuff (I am retired from IT). I read philosophy, history, science and theology. But, I also do read a lot of fiction especially Fantasy and Science Fiction. I cannot imagine the the places, the faces etc. I do enjoy reading the descriptions, but not because I then know what the person looked like (I have no idea) but because in the description you get an idea of who that person is. If they are short and pudgy or tall and lean -- I can have that idea of them without seeing them in my mind. Consequently, when I see a character I know on the big screen I can be very picky if he/she doesn't act they way they should, but I seldom have a problem if their face or even hair color is all wrong, because I have no idea about those things. Not sure if that make any sense, but I have taken a stab at writing a fantasy novel myself and found I was terrible at descriptions! Until, after much trial and error, I realized that I could focus on the things that were important about the scene and first work out with out seeing it, what the scene was like then I found with some effort, I could actually write a fair description. I do love being able to share my experience just as I enjoy reading about others whether their experience is like mine or very different.

Hi Nicolas, I have always known that I was unable to visualize the way others could. However, when I first started taking the various Aphantasia tests, I did answer some of the questions and getting a vague image, but mostly none at all. over time, I began to struggle to figure out whether I was really seeing a vague image in my mind or just having the idea of what the image would look like. I was confused about this for awhile, I spent a lot of time trying to visualize things and figure out if I was really seeing an image in my mind or not. For example: an apple. I could think about the top of the apple with a stem sticking out and the light reflecting off the top rounded part on one side. But eventually I realized I was thinking about these facts that I knew about, but as soon as I tried to see it, it was gone. Not sure if I am explaining it very well, but I am very sure now that I cannot see anything at all, I just know what I would see if there was an apple in front of me. I can construct what I would see by thinking of all the details that I do know about, but I never actually have an image in my mind. I don't know if that is the same thing you are struggling with, but it kind of sounded like it so I thought I would share my experience so you could compare and see if it might be the same for you or not.

Yes I have the same problem. I have always been a loner but the main reason is that being around people which I do enjoy, nevertheless I always feel drained after a relatively short time. My wife was always energized by being with people while I was drained, due to the over stimulation. For example, I was overjoyed to have my three kids (all adults and long out on there own) two Sons-in-law and two Grandkids at home this Christmas since it was the first without my wife. Nevertheless, I had to often go up to my room and just get time to myself so I could enjoy being with them again. I had not actually connected this with my aphantasia before, but as you explained it, I realized this was the same reason for me.

Hi Lawence, I could have written much of what you wrote here. I too have complete Aphansia and would love to participate in any research but I would actually like to be interviewed  rather than just taking the questionnaires which I can never really answer in a way that makes me feel that I have communicated completely my experience. I too have known for as far back as I can remember that I was aware that I thought differently in these respects than anyone I knew. However, I never really thought much about it, because I was very good in school and have a very good spatial memory, I simply did not feel any lack. When I was older I did realize that my memory (short and long term) was not what others would consider up to par, but I got along just fine. Maybe the fact that I was a loner help me not feel the lack. On the multiplication tables, I figured out real fast that I could do the do the calculations as fast as any of my friends could bring up their memory, so it didn't bother me to just not memorize them. To this day in my seventies I still do the calculations! I too learned that many standard ways of learning would not work for me, I had to understand, then remembering was not a problem. Fortunately, I learned very quickly and did very well on tests including Standardized tests. I was a little slow on more complicated math since I had to do all the calculations, but I was accurate. I did not meet anyone like me until I was studying philosophy in College. One of my Professors brought up the fact that he could not 'see' images in his head as part of our discussion of Empiricism. I actually have a recording of the same basic information he gave about a decade later (early 1980's) on the same subject. I was robbed at gun point once, years ago, and was asked to identify the suspect who they had gotten with other evidence. The best I could do was say that he could be the guy. I only remember things about faces, colors etc. that I actually thought while looking at it. His looks did not have anything to deny what I thought, but I had no image in my head to compare with the face before me. Fortunately they convicted him on the other evidence! One of our family jokes happened when my wife was unable to go shopping with me as she normally did. My objective was to buy a second suit that was noticeably different than the one I already had. It needed to be altered so it was some time before I was able to bring it home and as soon as I showed it to my wife, she said: 'Frank! that is exactly the same as your other one!' I didn't believe it till they were side by side!! It was things like this that finally convinced my wife that I really couldn't see in my mind, but she had a hard time believing it and never understood it. Unfortunately, I found out that there was now a name and some science on this about a month after she died last Spring. She would have loved learning about this with me. That reminds me that, like many people with Aphantasia, I deal with grief differently than most. However, I know that I deal with the loss of my wife better than many would, but Leslie and I were so close and I depended on her in so many ways (and vice versa) that it has been really hard. Well anyway, I do want to say that Aphantasia is not a handicap! It is just a different way of doing the same things everyone else does. Though it makes us bad witnesses as far as identifying perpetrators, it seems our testimony is usually very accurate and unembellished and so dependable.    

Hi Shelley, I have been aware that I was aphantasic (or however that's spelled) since I was young (I am definitely not young anymore) and never considered it a  problem. As a young adult man, I too was always puzzled by all the emphasis on visualizing things in goal setting etc. But I have been successful in almost every endeavor I have had. Various Schools including post-graduate degrees and multiple careers. For me the important thing is not visualizing, though some may be helped by that if they are visual learners, but goal setting and commitment to achieving those goals is the important thing. I also think that a commitment to high moral standards are important too. Just remember we are all different and we all think a little differently too (not in terms of rationality, but in terms of method). So any method that pigeon holes you into a certain way of thinking is probably going to help only a few people. The rest of us will not work well that way. I do think setting goals though is the important thing. If you can do that visually, fine, if not verbally or whatever works for you is just as good. By the way, I have learned that there are many advantages to having a blind minds eye. Though, there are advantages to having a working minds eye too. I hope this helps. All the best!

We Aphantasics are generally more prone to critical thinking. That's part of why I do believe in God. Do you know the odds of the Physics of the universe even allowing the possibility of life? This universe that we live in does allow for that. Do you know the odds of this universe producing life as we know it, by chance + time? It's easier to believe in God. But that is not why I believe in him. I believe in Him because he is a personal God who does reach out to us if we are willing to put away our self centeredness long enough  to see his glory in the universe and even more, within our selves because he created us to be in his image so that he could communicate with us and we with him.

Hi Jess, Thanks for being willing to share this difficulty! I have always known I was unable to visualize the way other did and now I know that I am a complete all senses aphant. I am quite intelligent and have been very successful both academically and professionally (I'm retired now). However, there are a number of things that might make one question my intelligence. For instance, I never could memorize the multiplication tables. I finally realized that I could compute the results as fast or faster than most of my friends could recall the memorized answers. Consequently I gave up memorizing them! I think that is connected to aphantasia -- I think. I remember a birthday, well not really, I remember a time when I had a birthday coming up and realized I didn't know how old I was. I put a lot of effort into getting someone to tell me that without having to admit I couldn't remember!! I did finally overhear an adult mentioning that my 13th birthday was coming up. That is all I remember about my 13th birthday! That may have been connected to aphanasia, but I tend to think I just didn't really care that much about it. And Yes, I have always had to think about it to remember which way was right and which was left. I can't say it has been a problem, because I could always figure it out, but even today at 71 I have to think about it. Many tricks: The hand I write with, the way I turn my care into my driveway is what I have been using lately. Is that connected to Aphanasia? I have no idea. By the way, I am very good with directions and have no trouble with North and South etc. But I don't like directions that use landmarks. They just confused the issue. I hope you find something that works for you! :)

Hi Rit Kas, I have complete aphantasia across all senses and have been aware of it as far back as I can remember. I am a big reader. I will say that much of what I read is not fiction. I read technical stuff (I am retired from IT). I read philosophy, history, science and theology. But, I also do read a lot of fiction especially Fantasy and Science Fiction. I cannot imagine the the places, the faces etc. I do enjoy reading the descriptions, but not because I then know what the person looked like (I have no idea) but because in the description you get an idea of who that person is. If they are short and pudgy or tall and lean -- I can have that idea of them without seeing them in my mind. Consequently, when I see a character I know on the big screen I can be very picky if he/she doesn't act they way they should, but I seldom have a problem if their face or even hair color is all wrong, because I have no idea about those things. Not sure if that make any sense, but I have taken a stab at writing a fantasy novel myself and found I was terrible at descriptions! Until, after much trial and error, I realized that I could focus on the things that were important about the scene and first work out with out seeing it, what the scene was like then I found with some effort, I could actually write a fair description. I do love being able to share my experience just as I enjoy reading about others whether their experience is like mine or very different.

Hi Nicolas, I have always known that I was unable to visualize the way others could. However, when I first started taking the various Aphantasia tests, I did answer some of the questions and getting a vague image, but mostly none at all. over time, I began to struggle to figure out whether I was really seeing a vague image in my mind or just having the idea of what the image would look like. I was confused about this for awhile, I spent a lot of time trying to visualize things and figure out if I was really seeing an image in my mind or not. For example: an apple. I could think about the top of the apple with a stem sticking out and the light reflecting off the top rounded part on one side. But eventually I realized I was thinking about these facts that I knew about, but as soon as I tried to see it, it was gone. Not sure if I am explaining it very well, but I am very sure now that I cannot see anything at all, I just know what I would see if there was an apple in front of me. I can construct what I would see by thinking of all the details that I do know about, but I never actually have an image in my mind. I don't know if that is the same thing you are struggling with, but it kind of sounded like it so I thought I would share my experience so you could compare and see if it might be the same for you or not.

Yes I have the same problem. I have always been a loner but the main reason is that being around people which I do enjoy, nevertheless I always feel drained after a relatively short time. My wife was always energized by being with people while I was drained, due to the over stimulation. For example, I was overjoyed to have my three kids (all adults and long out on there own) two Sons-in-law and two Grandkids at home this Christmas since it was the first without my wife. Nevertheless, I had to often go up to my room and just get time to myself so I could enjoy being with them again. I had not actually connected this with my aphantasia before, but as you explained it, I realized this was the same reason for me.

Hi Lawence, I could have written much of what you wrote here. I too have complete Aphansia and would love to participate in any research but I would actually like to be interviewed  rather than just taking the questionnaires which I can never really answer in a way that makes me feel that I have communicated completely my experience. I too have known for as far back as I can remember that I was aware that I thought differently in these respects than anyone I knew. However, I never really thought much about it, because I was very good in school and have a very good spatial memory, I simply did not feel any lack. When I was older I did realize that my memory (short and long term) was not what others would consider up to par, but I got along just fine. Maybe the fact that I was a loner help me not feel the lack. On the multiplication tables, I figured out real fast that I could do the do the calculations as fast as any of my friends could bring up their memory, so it didn't bother me to just not memorize them. To this day in my seventies I still do the calculations! I too learned that many standard ways of learning would not work for me, I had to understand, then remembering was not a problem. Fortunately, I learned very quickly and did very well on tests including Standardized tests. I was a little slow on more complicated math since I had to do all the calculations, but I was accurate. I did not meet anyone like me until I was studying philosophy in College. One of my Professors brought up the fact that he could not 'see' images in his head as part of our discussion of Empiricism. I actually have a recording of the same basic information he gave about a decade later (early 1980's) on the same subject. I was robbed at gun point once, years ago, and was asked to identify the suspect who they had gotten with other evidence. The best I could do was say that he could be the guy. I only remember things about faces, colors etc. that I actually thought while looking at it. His looks did not have anything to deny what I thought, but I had no image in my head to compare with the face before me. Fortunately they convicted him on the other evidence! One of our family jokes happened when my wife was unable to go shopping with me as she normally did. My objective was to buy a second suit that was noticeably different than the one I already had. It needed to be altered so it was some time before I was able to bring it home and as soon as I showed it to my wife, she said: 'Frank! that is exactly the same as your other one!' I didn't believe it till they were side by side!! It was things like this that finally convinced my wife that I really couldn't see in my mind, but she had a hard time believing it and never understood it. Unfortunately, I found out that there was now a name and some science on this about a month after she died last Spring. She would have loved learning about this with me. That reminds me that, like many people with Aphantasia, I deal with grief differently than most. However, I know that I deal with the loss of my wife better than many would, but Leslie and I were so close and I depended on her in so many ways (and vice versa) that it has been really hard. Well anyway, I do want to say that Aphantasia is not a handicap! It is just a different way of doing the same things everyone else does. Though it makes us bad witnesses as far as identifying perpetrators, it seems our testimony is usually very accurate and unembellished and so dependable.    

Hi Shelley, I have been aware that I was aphantasic (or however that's spelled) since I was young (I am definitely not young anymore) and never considered it a  problem. As a young adult man, I too was always puzzled by all the emphasis on visualizing things in goal setting etc. But I have been successful in almost every endeavor I have had. Various Schools including post-graduate degrees and multiple careers. For me the important thing is not visualizing, though some may be helped by that if they are visual learners, but goal setting and commitment to achieving those goals is the important thing. I also think that a commitment to high moral standards are important too. Just remember we are all different and we all think a little differently too (not in terms of rationality, but in terms of method). So any method that pigeon holes you into a certain way of thinking is probably going to help only a few people. The rest of us will not work well that way. I do think setting goals though is the important thing. If you can do that visually, fine, if not verbally or whatever works for you is just as good. By the way, I have learned that there are many advantages to having a blind minds eye. Though, there are advantages to having a working minds eye too. I hope this helps. All the best!