Visualization and aphantasia

[rayge]

My son posted this article on his facebook feed:

www.theguardian.com/wellness/2024/feb/26/what-is-aphantasia-like?fbclid=IwAR22v9tCgdEs8xIwhKOM1aDYJuf9ByfYJtAWBbxvf-TUhrYllcNfxGn3s8k

I never knew it was a condition, one that one in 25 people have: my assumptions were that I was odd (which I am, I know, but just another aspect of it) , and that when people talked of 'visualizing' something - as is often the case in ritual magick, cognitive behavioural therapy, and other psychiatric techniques, they were using it metaphorically. When I remember someone or something, I'm essentially remembering words, concepts, ideas, a kind of map or schema: it has absolutely nothing to do with how I experience seeing.  The same is also true of my dream world, too: I might describe a dream I have had in terms of places and people, but while I know it's them, there is no visual imagery involved: that's ot how they present to my consciousness

My son is also a sufferer apparently, while his wife and eldest son are perfectly capable of creating a visual image in their heads and rotating it through 360°, which blows my mind. I remember reading of Tesla, that he could create an image of a piece of machinery in his mind, set it going, then, after a while, recall it, take it apart and look to see where any stresses or friction had occured. I dismissed it as fanciful, but now I'm not so sure.

This revelation - a strong word, but that's how it feels to me - may explain why I take so many pictures and why I love looking at images, as well as my love of words and language and ideas, and many other not-particularly-fascinating facets of my personality.

Anyone else recognize themselves in that article, or am I the statistical one in the 25 people who might read it?

[Charlie O.]

That's quite fascinating. It's the first I've heard of it.

[adamcoan]

People have claimed they can train their way out of aphantasia, or use psychedelics to regain some sense of mental imagery (the jury is out on whether that works).

I believe you may be able to assist the author here Ray.

[DarknessFish]

I had no idea it was as common as 1 in 25, but I've heard of the condition quite a lot recently. What interested me was that the tests on grading the quality of visual imagery concentrated on how clear/vivid the image was. I can create a perfectly vivid mental image, but trying to concentrate on that image for any period of time, or rotate it/alter it literally makes my brain hurt.