Aphantasia – Wednesday July 3rd 2024

Aphantasia – Wednesday July 3rd 2024

Having noticed an article on this condition this morning and as I have a form of it, I thought I would contribute. I have written of it previously. 

I’m not certain if I had this condition from birth, most likely it occurred shortly afterwards when regression first appeared. 

I note the people in the article had vivid image dreams. Also the term “imageless minds”, did those people have an ability to remember a painting or photo in their minds eye?

Although I cannot create an image in my mind, if it’s an image I have previously seen, I use a form of photographic memory and can utilize that, though it is fleeting, I cannot hold the image there.

But I was able to dream in imagery when very young and then saw the imagery begin to fade in colour and in clarity. But one can still dream in thought.

I can see that my form of this condition is related to our disability as it coincided with the commencement of breathing and other issues due to regression when young. 

Though unable to articulate it back then, it didn’t cause distress, the other things occurring pushed it down the ladder in a sense, but certainly I noticed.

The fact that the people could all dream in vivid imagery shows that the function is still working, but only when other functions are at rest, during sleep.

Fiona MacLeod (C)