Your VVIQ Result: Aphantasic
What do my VVIQ results mean?
If you weren’t able to visualize any scenarios in the VVIQ this could mean you experience aphantasia, or image-free thinking. Aphantasia is unique thinking style that relies less on visualization and more on other imaginative processes to perceive and understand the world.
What is Aphantasia?
Aphantasia is the inability to visualize. Otherwise known as image-free thinking. People with aphantasia can’t “see” images in their imagination, but they think in other ways. Instead of “seeing” things in our mind, aphantsics think with words, abstract ideas, and emotions, giving us a unique way to view and interact with the world.
Introduction to the Visual Imagination Spectrum
Aphantasia is part of the broader visual imagination spectrum, which ranges from extremely vivid, or Hyperphantasia, to no mental imagery at all. There are lots of variations in imaginative experience in between. Understanding where you fall on the visual imagination spectrum can offer valuable insights into how you think, learn, remember, create, dream and more.
Why Understanding Invisible Differences Matters
Recognizing your aphantasia can help you identify some of your unique strengths and challenges when it comes to visual thinking. This awareness enables you to explore alternative non-visual strategies in learning, memory, creativity and mental well-being that may be more effective for your imagination style. It’s also an opportunity to connect with how you imagine differently.
Community Story: Teresa's Discovery of Aphantasia
Teresa's discovery of aphantasia came about one evening through a YouTube video. Struggling to visualize anything but darkness, she realized she had aphantasia. This revelation led to a day of research and meaningful conversations with her family, helping her understand her unique way of experiencing the world. Despite some feelings of loss, particularly in remembering her late parents, Teresa found comfort and acceptance in her condition. She embraced her aphantasia, viewing it not as a deficit, but as a distinct perspective, and began learning to communicate this unique aspect of her experience to others. Her story is a journey of self-acceptance and finding strength in aphantasia.
Further Resources and Reading
Want to learn more? Check out our featured articles and research on aphantasia, featuring community stories and expert insights.
Join A Community Of Like Minds
Find support, share experiences, and learn from others. The Aphantasia Network community is a dedicated space to discover the unique advantages of aphantasia and how it influences your life, work, and well-being.
✔️ Join engaging Aphantasia meetups online and in various remote hubs.
✔️ Access the exclusive Aphantasia Chat on Discord to connect with the community.
✔️ Participate in live presentations with scientists for the latest aphantasia insights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How common is aphantasia?
Aphantasia is relatively rare, affecting approximately 2-5% of the population. However, awareness and understanding of our unique experience is growing.
Can aphantasia be diagnosed?
There is no official diagnostic test for aphantasia. The VVIQ is a tool that can indicate aphantasia, but it is not a definitive diagnosis. Understanding aphantasia, and whether you have it, often comes from self-awareness and personal experience.
Does aphantasia affect memory or creativity?
People with aphantasia may experience memory and creativity differently. They often rely on conceptual and factual information rather than visual memory, and they may be creative in ways that don’t involve visual imagery.
Is aphantasia considered a disability?
Aphantasia is not classified as a disability. It is simply a different way of experiencing the world. Many people with aphantasia lead full and rich lives.
Can aphantasia be treated?
Aphantasia is not a condition that needs to be treated. It’s a variation in human experience. People with aphantasia develop other ways of thinking and imagining.
How does aphantasia affect daily life?
The impact of aphantasia on daily life varies. Some individuals find workarounds in tasks that typically rely on visual imagery, while others may not notice significant differences in their daily activities.
Are there any benefits to having aphantasia?
While aphantasia involves the absence of voluntary visual imagery, it can come with its own unique advantages. Many individuals with aphantasia excel in abstract and conceptual thinking. They often develop strong skills in verbal memory, analytical thinking, and problem-solving. Additionally, aphantasia can lead to a distinct way of processing and interpreting the world, which can be beneficial in various creative and professional contexts.
Can people with aphantasia dream in images?
Dream experiences vary among people with aphantasia. Some report dreaming in images, while others do not have visual dreams.
Is aphantasia genetic?
The causes of aphantasia are not fully understood, but there may be a genetic component. Research in this area is ongoing.
Where can I connect with others with aphantasia?
Our Aphantasia Network is a great place to meet and share experiences with others who have aphantasia. Joining our network can provide support, insights, and shared experiences.