“I just see nothing. It’s literally just black”: a qualitative investigation into congenital aphantasia

Abstract

Aphantasia, the inability to form voluntary sensory imagery, is a newly emerging field. While quantitative evidence regarding the prevalence and profile of aphantasia is increasing, few studies have sought to understand in-depth the perspectives of those who have experience. The present study adopted a qualitative approach to gain insight into the experiences and perceived impacts of congenital aphantasia. Six female congenital aphantasic participants were identified as aphantasic through the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (all VVIQ = 16). Semi-structured interviews collected participant understandings, perceptions and experiences of aphantasia, which were then analysed thematically. Difficulties surrounding autobiographical memory, orientation and facial recognition most impacted everyday life, and autobiographical memory issues could impact sense of self. Others constructed their sense of self around their missing abilities. Other sensory domains and emotions also appeared to be impacted in varying ways. Participants felt images were ‘there’, but could not consciously access them, although some had found ways to access unconscious images, and all experienced dream imagery and involuntary images in highly emotional states. The findings propose new research questions in a range of future investigations, as well as further understanding of what it is like to live with aphantasia.