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

DOI: 10.1080/23311908.2025.2574255
Tags:
MemoryVisual AphantasiaCongenital Aphantasia
Pounder, Z., Agosto, G., Mackenzie, J.-M., & Cheshire, A. (2025). “i just see nothing. it’s literally just black”: a qualitative investigation into congenital aphantasia. Cogent Psychology, 12(1). doi:/10.1080/23311908.2025.2574255

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.

Authors

  • Zoë Pounder6
  • Grazia Agosto1
  • Jay-Marie Mackenzie1
  • Anna Cheshire1

A Qualitative Study of Congenital Aphantasia

Study Overview

This qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with six female participants (average age 48) with congenital aphantasia to explore their lived experiences, challenges, and perceptions of the condition.

Key Findings

Major Daily Life Challenges

1. Facial Recognition Issues
  • Unable to visually recall faces of even close family members
  • Could recognize people when physically present but not mentally picture them
  • Used verbal descriptions and facts about physical characteristics to identify people
  • Caused embarrassment at work (e.g., teachers not recognizing students)
  • Some worried about not recognizing loved ones at meeting places
2. Autobiographical Memory Deficits
  • Most significant impact reported by participants
  • Could not "relive" past experiences visually
  • Needed prompts (photos, verbal cues, visiting locations) to recall memories
  • One participant poignantly stated: "Your life is your memory. Who you are is what you can remember about yourself"
  • For some, this affected their sense of self and identity
3. Orientation/Navigation Difficulties
  • Mixed experiences: some had good spatial awareness, others felt anxious about finding places
  • Could remember spatial relationships without visual details
  • Map reading abilities varied considerably

Compensatory Strategies

Participants developed various non-visual approaches:
  • Verbal/semantic strategies: Using words, descriptions, facts, and narratives instead of images
  • Knowledge-based memory: Relying on concepts and meanings rather than pictures
  • External aids: Taking extensive photos, making notes, writing things down
  • Drawing/doodling: Some used drawing as a way to access images unconsciously
  • Relying on others: Partners or friends helped remember information

Beyond Visual Imagery

Other sensory impacts:
  • All six participants couldn't imagine smells or tastes
  • Four couldn't imagine sounds
  • Two had no internal monologue/voice
  • Some reported reduced emotional experiences or difficulty sharing others' emotional states

Involuntary Imagery Experiences

Despite complete inability to form voluntary visual images, all participants experienced:
  • Dream imagery: Varied from regular to extremely rare; some remembered dreams conceptually but not visually
  • Emotional state imagery: "Flashes" during intense emotions (both positive and negative)
Examples: falling in love, holding newborn baby, depression, anxiety, deep relaxation.
Intensity of emotion mattered more than type.

Psychological Impact

Discovery experiences:
  • Many initially didn't realize they were different or thought others had exceptional abilities
  • After discovering aphantasia, things "made sense" and they recognized their coping mechanisms
  • Reactions ranged from fascination to frustration
Impact on sense of self:
  • Some felt disconnection between conscious mind and whole self
  • Others constructed identity around their differences
  • Some viewed lack of imagery as positive (less stress, enhanced other abilities)
  • One participant found it harder to discuss than her cancer diagnosis due to lack of public understanding
Beliefs about the unconscious:
  • Repeatedly described feeling images existed "inside them" or in their subconscious but couldn't consciously access them
  • Some developed techniques to access unconscious images (e.g., "unthinking," automatic drawing)
  • One participant compared it to "a computer screen with the screen off"

Social Reactions

  • Families and friends' reactions ranged from dismissive to disbelieving
  • Some stopped sharing after hurtful responses
  • Felt isolated due to lack of public understanding
  • Facebook support group was helpful for connection

Key Insights

High variability: Aphantasia manifests differently across individuals—no two participants had identical experiences
Functional despite challenges: All participants were functioning well in life with jobs/education and relationships
Voluntary vs. involuntary imagery: Clear distinction between inability to create voluntary images and experiencing involuntary ones
Multimodal condition: Affects multiple senses, not just vision
Identity and memory: Autobiographical memory difficulties had profound effects on sense of self for some

Research Implications

The study suggests future research should explore:
  • Relationship between aphantasia and prosopagnosia (face blindness)
  • Connection to SDAM (severely deficient autobiographical memory)
  • Subtypes of aphantasia based on heterogeneity of experiences
  • Relationship between voluntary and involuntary imagery
  • Gender and ethnic differences in experience

Limitations

  • Small sample (6 participants)
  • All female, all White
  • Recruited from single Facebook group
  • Focused primarily on visual domain
This qualitative study of aphantasia provides rich insights into lived experiences that quantitative studies cannot capture, revealing the profound yet varied impacts of living without voluntary mental imagery.