Dreams of an Aphantasiast
can you see visual imagery?
i want to be able to see in my mind
i want colours & pictures,
abstract designs
I want to have what others do
the experience of
internal view
for perhaps then I could paint
something unique
without restraint
creating art never before seen
animals and shapes
that have never been
.
I hope we can find a way
A cure for Aphantasia
Some day
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I have had an article in my drafts for a a long time about this. I still haven’t returned to finish it (but I will!). I learned in recent years that I am even less typical than previously thought. I lack the ability to see images in my mind.
The trouble with being unable to do something that others take for granted, is that you never actually learn you are different.
Hence it took me until my 30s to understand that others are able to play their imaginations visually. The subject absolutely fascinates me and I am quite certain that my lack of visual imagination is a trauma response that can be healed (now that I know I’m supposed to be able to do this!).
The fact that I can dream (very vividly) tells me it is clearly possible for me to do this. I just can’t consciously do it.
I would be so interested to know if anyone else here has this ?
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Comments (11)
This is so interesting! I never knew there was a name for this! I don’t have it, in fact I kinda have the opposite. I’m pretty sure I have maladaptive daydreaming😂 (not exactly the opposite but kind of) BUT I’ve had discussions about this, without knowing the name of it, with a few of my friends who are the same as you!! It was such an interesting discussion. But neither of them liked reading and thought it might be related to that because they couldn’t visualise what they read. But you love writing, which makes it even more interesting! I hope you can find a cure too though and I’ll have to make sure to be more grateful for this from now on!
Thank you for writing this, Kayleigh! I had heard of the condition but didn't know the name - so you educated me a bit. Sorry you have this difficulty - I can't imagine what it must be like. I have to say, though, given that sometimes you must have to work doubly hard or in a different way to produce such exquisite poetry that you do, makes me fascinated with your process and even more impressed by your writing than I already was! This poem is another great example of your abilities and I am glad you work through what is obviously disadvantge and I'm excited that you may be able to fix it further down the line! Love this!
Aye, many people have this, but that clearly does not mean they cannot be creative geniuses!
That's fascinating! I knew this existed but never knew anybody who experienced it. Im glad you shared this. Also the rhyme scheme and structure in this really flowed well.
Well written! Great work!
Ohh man, I have so many questions! first off, great article. How does this impact you as a writer? The only things that keep me organized and on track are my mental images.
I can see imagery in my mind but i certainly cant draw a good picture, haha. I believe you will be able to see imagery too✨
I had no idea about this. Very interesting.
I've come across a couple of people in the last few years this, it's interesting.
Oh, I did not know that this condition exists. As I can remember in childhood I had very vivid visual imagination, but years passed, now it's quite poor. No details, but only some blurry outlines. If you can dream, I believe you indeed can get back what's yours!! So do heal please!
Aphantasia is so fascinating to me. I did not know that some people cannot visually imagine things until about a year ago. As someone who has been a chronic daydreamer and has lived in their imagination since very early childhood, it’s so tough for me to try to understand what it would be like without my mind’s eye. That’s interesting that you have vivid dreams though!