While many people can picture things out in their minds, not everyone can do so. This is due to a characteristic known as aphantasia.
Aphantasia: The Absence of a 'Mind's Eye'
Aphantasia refers to when the brain does not use or form mental images as part of one's imagination or thinking. Having this characteristic means that a person does not have visual imagination.
The term was coined by neurologist Adam Zeman. The neurologist describes aphantasia as a variation of human experience rather than a mental or medical condition. Hence, aphantasia is considered a characteristic, similar to being left-handed or right-handed in writing. Research shows that the characteristic simply indicates that the mind of a person with the characteristic may work quite differently.
Imagination is how the brain stimulates something based on past experience or knowledge. For the majority, imagination could come in several forms, including seeing or hearing things. Some people have stronger capacities for imagination compared to others. For people with aphantasia, imagination may work differently.
Aphantasia also comes in two forms, namely, acquired or congenital. Acquired aphantasia is developed as life goes by. It typically happens due to illness, an injury, or a mental health condition. On the other hand, congenital aphantasia is present throughout one's whole life. People with congenital aphantasia may not be aware of their characteristic, as they do not know that it is uncommon to not have mental imagery.
The characteristic is generally uncommon, with experts estimating that roughly 2% to 4% of individuals have it. However, research focusing on aphantasia is generally limited.
How Aphantasia Affects Daily Life
People who live with aphantasia may be affected by the characteristic in various ways. Aphantasia comes in varying degrees. For some people, their aphantasia could be total, with the full absence of mental images. Others may experience it only when they try to form those mental pictures. They may still experience brief flashes without effort, or they may see things as they dream.
The characteristic can also affect memory storage and access. People with the characteristic are likely to experience difficulties with autobiographical memory. This means that when they try to recall previous experiences or actions, they are unable to visualize them. Experts think that this could limit memory in particular ways, though further research is necessary for this to be confirmed.
The majority of those with congenital aphantasia are unaware that they possess the characteristics until they reach adolescence or adulthood. It is rare for these individuals to need a formal diagnosis, as this is how their minds have been working throughout their lives.
As for acquired aphantasia, this generally requires a diagnosis. Experts may utilize diagnostic and imaging tests as well as specific questionnaires to assess the strength of one's mental imagery experience.
Aphantasia does not need to be treated, since it is not a medical or mental health condition. When it comes to acquired aphantasia due to another medical condition that affects the brain, experts mostly treat the underlying issue or condition that leads to aphantasia.
There is still much to learn about aphantasia, as research pertaining to it is still in the infant stages.
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