The 7 stages of Aphantasia

So here is what will be an occasional blog about aphantasia.  Aphantasia sometimes also know as the blind mind's eye is a 'condition' in which one has no or very limited ability to visualise. 

Somebody with apahantasia can close their eyes and see - well pretty much nothing - except of course that until they hear about other people's ability to bring forth images of loved ones, cats, passages from movies etc, they assume that everybody else just sees black as well. 

The following is a rough list of the stages many go through in learning about apahantasia.  

1. Go through life blissfully unaware that one is any way different.

2. Hear a radio show, podcast or read article about aphantasia. 

3. Stop in one’s tracks and ask WT… “I always thought people were speaking metaphorically when they talked about the mind’s eye”.

4. Ask friends and family whether they can visualise – nonplussed by the “of course I can” responses. Interrogate further but struggle to really grasp what it is most people see.

5. Begin to read everything one can on the subject – relieved that many notable artists, scientists etc were aphants and that for some aphaantasia leads to an increase in thinking conceptually.

6. Begin to ponder how it has affected one’s life and the wider implications – try to resist putting everything bad (or good) down to aphantasia.

7. Feel a little bemused as one begins to realise that one’s mind is akin to a windowless waiting room complete with a small hatch through which thoughts and ideas come as if by magic from some hidden part of the brain.     


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