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Post by Lurkingpea on Feb 18, 2024 21:22:51 GMT
I just found out I had this and it is surreal to me. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/25222-aphantasia I must have total Aphantasia because I can't conjure up pictures in my mind at all. When I close my eyes I see black. I can't "see" anything by thinking about it. I can describe what people or places look like. I just can't visualize them. I often wondered why scary movies scare me but scary books don't. I just found out that other people actually see the things they are reading. They described it like a movie playing in their head. That just boggles my mind. Is that really what people see? My husband is not feeling well and is trying to sleep. I can't keep peppering him with questions. So I am coming to you all. If you can see things can your turn it off? What do you normally see when you close your eyes? If someone described something like a bureau with an elephant trunk and long spindly giraffe legs would you see that picture in your head? I can draw fairly well, but I have to look at a picture to draw something. Basically I am just copying the drawing. Can you just imagine a train engine and draw it? I mean I could do an approximate version without looking at a picture but if I had a coloring book style picture to look at I could copy that almost exactly. Without something to look at it would just be a rectangle with wheels and a square with a triangle on top for the steam part I can get where I am going when driving but if I had to tell someone directions ahead of time I can't do that. I need to be in the car or walking the route and can tell you when to turn. Is that because of this or is it just I have a bad sense of direction. This is simply amazing to me. I realize if I could always see pictures it wouldn't upset me. But as someone who can't if it suddenly turned on, so to speak, it would be too stimulating to me. |
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Post by gryroagain on Feb 18, 2024 21:25:12 GMT
Oh that is so interesting! I thought everyone saw pictures in their brains. It can be a little overwhelming thoughā¦but that may be he autism speaking š
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Post by beaglemom on Feb 18, 2024 21:28:19 GMT
This is totally me as well. Down to the drawing ability. I sew and I have a very hard time looking at fabrics and knowing what the end result is going to look like. I look for ideas of how to pair fabrics online, because I just can't see it.
My dh has it to a degree too, but the two differences are that he can't draw and that he can create a mental map of things. Great sense of direction, me on the other hand I need maps to get pretty much everywhere.
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Post by Merge on Feb 18, 2024 21:48:31 GMT
I do not automatically see a picture of something in my head when it is mentioned, as some people do, but I can conjure up an image if I try.
Canāt draw to save my life.
I do have a continuous internal monologue going. And sometimes two of them, it feels like, or a monologue and a song.
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Post by gryroagain on Feb 18, 2024 21:50:31 GMT
Oh that is so interesting! I thought everyone saw pictures in their brains. It can be a little overwhelming thoughā¦but that may be he autism speaking š
uhhhh no clue why this is here twice. But also not smart enough to delete it š¤·āāļø
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Post by librarylady on Feb 18, 2024 21:53:37 GMT
Perhaps I am being a bit too literal, but I don't SEE things when I close my eyes. I see black/dark. However, I can visualize a familiar item. I might be able to draw something (a poor drawing). If you said "imagine a horse," I could have an image in my mind but I am not seeing that horse.
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Post by Zee on Feb 18, 2024 21:58:40 GMT
Interesting! I have never really thought about this other than I know not everyone has an internal monologue. As I'm typing this right now I can "hear" every word I type.
I can "see" things in my head but it's not a constant thing like a movie playing.
When I'm reading a book I will conjure up pictures to match descriptions (which a lot of us do, and I think part of the reason we don't always enjoy movie adaptations, because they might not match the picture we already had in our heads). But it's not a constant thing. The monologue is always there when I am reading. It made me wonder how deaf people read books. Do they generally just see pictures in their heads?
I can draw very well but I do prefer there to be something to draw from, like a photo or a real life example. It's much easier than going by memory. But if you're just making something up, then of course you won't have that and you're just using your imagination.
Does your imagination not involve images in your head? That would be so different for me. When I'm thinking up a new collage or project or found object art, then I am going strictly by what I "see" in my head as possibilities. It's like a guide, not a plan. I lay things out and see how they look in real life and adjust from there. Same with painting.
ETA it's not "seeing" something really when my eyes are closed. It's in the back of my brain. My eyes don't have to be shut to imagine something else. They can be open. Right now, for example, I'm looking at my cat and seeing an image of what he'd look like with a hat on. Both are possible at once.
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Post by dewryce on Feb 18, 2024 22:05:23 GMT
I do not automatically see a picture of something in my head when it is mentioned, as some people do, but I can conjure up an image if I try. Canāt draw to save my life. I do have a continuous internal monologue going. And sometimes two of them, it feels like, or a monologue and a song.Same. Or 5. I donāt sleep or relax well unless Iām reading because it can often help quiet the noise. OP, I have never heard of that and canāt imagine what it would be like. I agree that it just suddenly turned on for you it would be overwhelming. Mine isnāt a constant video unless Iām daydreaming. Like merge itās the voices and/or music that are pretty constant. Which is why books are great because they become the words in my head. But, as an example, just now my husband walked in the door and I saw it in my head. If he were to ask me where something was (so, always) I can easily visualize the area so I can describe which set of drawers and where in the drawer. When we did those tests when we were younger I always tested off the charts for things like spacial awareness. I have pulsatile tinnitus and I just realized I sort of see the sound when I notice it. And once, when things were a little crazy I forgot I had already taken my morning meds. I take a LOT of medication, lots of it for bipolar and anxiety. That was probably the first time I really felt anything like being in a drugged state. I had a couple of completely imagined movies going in my head with full dialogue, a radio station with a talk radio show, at least 2 songs, I couldnāt stop thinking and I was completely aware of all of it at the same time. |
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Post by playingcinderella on Feb 18, 2024 22:05:30 GMT
This is me exactly. I also don't see images/pictures when I dream. DH thought I was just weird.
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Post by Lurkingpea on Feb 18, 2024 22:09:14 GMT
Interesting! I have never really thought about this other than I know not everyone has an internal monologue. As I'm typing this right now I can "hear" every word I type. I can "see" things in my head but it's not a constant thing like a movie playing. When I'm reading a book I will conjure up pictures to match descriptions (which a lot of us do, and I think part of the reason we don't always enjoy movie adaptations, because they might not match the picture we already had in our heads). But it's not a constant thing. The monologue is always there when I am reading. It made me wonder how deaf people read books. Do they generally just see pictures in their heads? I can draw very well but I do prefer there to be something to draw from, like a photo or a real life example. It's much easier than going by memory. But if you're just making something up, then of course you won't have that and you're just using your imagination. Does your imagination not involve images in your head? That would be so different for me. When I'm thinking up a new collage or project or found object art, then I am going strictly by what I "see" in my head as possibilities. It's like a guide, not a plan. I lay things out and see how they look in real life and adjust from there. Same with painting. ETA it's not "seeing" something really when my eyes are closed. It's in the back of my brain. My eyes don't have to be shut to imagine something else. They can be open. Right now, for example, I'm looking at my cat and seeing an image of what he'd look like with a hat on. Both are possible at once. I can "hear" things. Not everyone can? That is also interesting. I don't like when movie characters don't match what they are described like in the book, but I can never "see" what is being described. I just know that Ron Weasley has red hair and Harry has messy brown hair with a scar on his forehead. Had they switched those actors it would bother me. No, I don't have any imagination pictures. I cannot picture my dog in a hat. But I know he would be very handsome. When you shut your eyes what do you see? Is it black or do you see what you are thinking about? I would find that very distracting. |
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Post by Lurkingpea on Feb 18, 2024 22:10:07 GMT
This is me exactly. I also don't see images/pictures when I dream. DH thought I was just weird. I never remember my dreams. |
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RedSquirrelUK
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,732 
Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Feb 18, 2024 22:12:01 GMT
I don't have this. I can "see" pictures in my head. When I remember things I've read, I can see them on the page - if not the actual words, then definitely left or right page, and whereabouts on the page. My drawing is reasonable but not great. I am one of those people who doesn't like to watch a film after reading the book, because the acted characters never behave or look like I imagine them.
I can mostly switch it off and on as required, but not always. If I'm bored, or listening to/watching something makes me think of something else, the new pictures intrude.
And yes, I see the bureau (mahogany like my mother's) with the elephant trunk (grey) and long spindly giraffe legs (light brown with brown splotches, front legs longer than the back ones). OK that's weird!
When I shut my eyes I "see" brown, but my brain fills in the blank with thoughts. They're in a different place from what I see - kind of at the back of my eyes rather than in front of them.
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Post by Lurkingpea on Feb 18, 2024 22:12:35 GMT
I do not automatically see a picture of something in my head when it is mentioned, as some people do, but I can conjure up an image if I try. Canāt draw to save my life. I do have a continuous internal monologue going. And sometimes two of them, it feels like, or a monologue and a song.Same. Or 5. I donāt sleep or relax well unless Iām reading because it can often help quiet the noise. OP, I have never heard of that and canāt imagine what it would be like. I agree that it just suddenly turned on for you it would be overwhelming. Mine isnāt a constant video unless Iām daydreaming. Like merge itās the voices and/or music that are pretty constant. Which is why books are great because they become the words in my head. But, as an example, just now my husband walked in the door and I saw it in my head. If he were to ask me where something was (so, always) I can easily visualize the area so I can describe which set of drawers and where in the drawer. When we did those tests when we were younger I always tested off the charts for things like spacial awareness.Ā I have pulsatile tinnitus and I just realized I sort of see the sound when I notice it. And once, when things were a little crazy I forgot I had already taken my morning meds. Ā I take a LOT of medication, lots of it for bipolar and anxiety. That was probably the first time I really felt anything like being in a drugged state. Ā I had a couple of completely imagined movies going in my head with full dialogue, a radio station with a talk radio show, at least 2 songs, I couldnāt stop thinking and I was completely aware of all of it at the same time.Ā I can describe where something is when my husband is looking for it, but I don't really know how. I don't see it. I guess I just remember? I am terrible at the kids game Memory though. Like really bad. A 2 year old could beat me. I don't think I have a bad memory. Now I am trying to decide if some of these lapses in my abilities are due to this or just lapses. So interesting Thank you everyone for sharing. |
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Post by lisae on Feb 18, 2024 22:13:34 GMT
If you can see things can your turn it off? No, I can not turn it off. I see everything in my mind. When I'm reading a book, I see the location where the characters are whether it has been well described or not. My mind fills in a setting - it may not be original. I might put the characters in a setting from a tv show or another home I've been in for example if there isn't enough detail from the writing. I was just listening to an audiobook and seeing the characters in my mind in the various homes, nightclubs, movie theaters, wherever they were. I don't do too much with faces but I have at least a vague image in my mind of each character. I can visualize hotel rooms I've stayed in and places I've driven before particularly customer's homes or workplaces even ones where I was a contractor and only went once or twice. All of my memories have a visual component. Early childhood memories may be more like a screen shot than a movie but there is an image. I'm not naturally gifted as an artist. It takes effort for me to draw something and usually some instruction. |
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,205
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Post by gina on Feb 18, 2024 22:25:54 GMT
Interesting. Yes I can see things very clearly when I am reading & 'see' when I have my eyes closed. I am great at visualizing and I have a photographic memory. I can remember very minute details about the most random things. I was also always an art student all through college and have my degree in fashion design (I am a newborn photographer now however). My creative brain is always alert & ready to go! I also always have about 4-5 different convos going on in my head and thats kind of annoying.  I just try my best to tune them out. While odd, I can picture this easily. lol |
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Post by Lexica on Feb 18, 2024 22:31:44 GMT
Some people can see actual pictures when they close their eyes?!?! When I imagine something, which I can do very well, I basically think it rather than see it. As far as an actual visual picture, nothing. It is black. I have never heard of this before.
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Post by myshelly on Feb 18, 2024 22:39:50 GMT
I have heard of this before, but it is so hard for me to imagine.
I have a constant internal dialogue (or 3 or 4 or 10š¤£) and see movies in my head all the time - when I read, when I think about things, and especially when Iām trying to sleep. I canāt turn any of it off.
I canāt imagine my mind being just blank.
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Post by cadoodlebug on Feb 18, 2024 22:41:16 GMT
This is fascinating to me. I used to ask DS if he could *picture* what he was reading. My dreams are so vivid I often remember them days later. Many times I will wake up and think "thank God that was a dream!" When I talk to someone one the phone, I conjure up a mental imagine and am always stunned at how different they look when I finally meet them. When watching a movie made from a book I've read, it is rarely how I pictured the places and/or the people.
Sometimes I have trouble *shutting* down my brain when I go to bed. I will think back on vacation we've taken to Europe and try to remember what our hotels looked like in the order we stayed in them. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't.
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Post by Lurkingpea on Feb 18, 2024 22:54:54 GMT
I have heard of this before, but it is so hard for me to imagine. I have a constant internal dialogue (or 3 or 4 or 10š¤£) and see movies in my head all the time - when I read, when I think about things, and especially when Iām trying to sleep. I canāt turn any of it off. I canāt imagine my mind being just blank. I can't imagine having pictures in your head. I have internal monologues all the time too. I just don't have any visuals. It is like an audiobook all the time. |
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Post by katlaw on Feb 18, 2024 23:07:53 GMT
I remember the first time I heard about this, I had no idea some people cannot "see" in their mind. And no idea some people do not have a constant internal dialogue in their heads.
I have both of those. I am a pretty creative person, I can draw and design. I make custom t-shirt designs so I am always creating something.
The internal dialogue is distracting to the point that I sometimes have to replay an audio book or tv show because I missed something.
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Post by gar on Feb 18, 2024 23:08:37 GMT
If you can see things can your turn it off? No, I can not turn it off. I see everything in my mind. When I'm reading a book, I see the location where the characters are whether it has been well described or not. My mind fills in a setting - it may not be original. I might put the characters in a setting from a tv show or another home I've been in for example if there isn't enough detail from the writing. I was just listening to an audiobook and seeing the characters in my mind in the various homes, nightclubs, movie theaters, wherever they were. I don't do too much with faces but I have at least a vague image in my mind of each character. I can visualize hotel rooms I've stayed in and places I've driven before particularly customer's homes or workplaces even ones where I was a contractor and only went once or twice. All of my memories have a visual component. Early childhood memories may be more like a screen shot than a movie but there is an image. I'm not naturally gifted as an artist. It takes effort for me to draw something and usually some instruction. This is a pretty good description for me too. I canāt imagine not seeing things in my mindās eye. |
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Post by 950nancy on Feb 18, 2024 23:15:23 GMT
I have lots of inner monologues in my head. I can see pictures of things with my eyes opened or closed.
I don't turn it off as much as the computer screen going blank after not being used after 10 minutes. Ready to pop back up when giggled.
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Post by hop2 on Feb 18, 2024 23:16:50 GMT
I both see things in my head and have an inner monologue all the time. Sometimes related, sometimes the monologue is not related to the puctures.
I do not see an inner movie when watching a movie or TV show but I can replay what I recall in my head. I do see images in my head when reading. For this reason I do skip certain parts of books. And Iāve also stopped reading authors like Diana Gabaldon because itās too disturbing. Sheās a good author and it conjures horrible images sometimes.
I can normally shut it off but every once in awhile I can not & then Iāll have insomnia.
I can never give directions with road names & exit numbers & such but I can tell you to turn or get off the road at certain land marks. I guess itās over the river & thru the woods style directions and most people do not get it. But like this āgo down the block and turn right at the school, then turn left at the yellow house. Turn right at the stone church and bear right at the y in the road.ā My directions would be like that. I would need to look at a map for nearly all of those road names even if I drove them all the time.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,421
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
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Post by milocat on Feb 18, 2024 23:20:37 GMT
For a long time I didn't realize people could see things in their mind. That they have a movie playing in there in high definition. If it's something I'm really familiar with I can get a quick faded image of it. Only still pictures not moving. If you said picture a giraffe, I'd think long neck, spots but nothing around it. I feel like I'm more describing it than picturing it. I don't have an inner monolouge. All that noise would drive me crazy. I can think thourgh something in my mind but it's not endless chatter. I don't like reading descriptive books. I do have an excellent sense of direction.
For example, my mom's house, I would say one bedroom has a purple quilt she made and the other bedroom has a green one. But I can't picture the pattern. Even after being on vacation and being away from home I have to really think to picture my own home. If I wanted to buy this, where would it go? Would it match?
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Feb 18, 2024 23:32:45 GMT
Fascinating...
I am not sure I am comprehending the concept yet.
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Post by gillyp on Feb 18, 2024 23:37:55 GMT
This is me exactly. I also don't see images/pictures when I dream. DH thought I was just weird. But . . . How do you know youāve dreamt if you havenāt seen them? My dreams are usually very vivid and in either colour or black and white but now Iām thinking about them, itās only me that makes any noise in them. I donāt have conversations with anyone or hear any conversations so if thereās any noise it only comes from me. Thanks to a Pea a few years ago, I found out that the people I see in my bedroom when Iām asleep/just waking (there ARE no people but they are very real to me) is because of hypnagogia. And yes, I do have the internal monologue and visuals when Iām properly awake. I can see that bureau with the giraffe and elephant as if Iād seen a picture of it. |
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Post by flanz on Feb 18, 2024 23:46:47 GMT
Wow! I'm just like you! I didn't know there was a word for it!!
The only difference from what you are describing is that I AM able to give directions.
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Post by flanz on Feb 18, 2024 23:52:35 GMT
Some people can see actual pictures when they close their eyes?!?! When I imagine something, which I can do very well, I basically think it rather than see it. As far as an actual visual picture, nothing. It is black. I have never heard of this before. Same!@ |
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Post by flanz on Feb 18, 2024 23:54:42 GMT
For those of you who have inner monologues, do you mean you hear yourself basically "talking to yourself" - revisiting an experience or telling yourself what you need to do next or  ? |
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Post by hennybutton on Feb 19, 2024 0:02:32 GMT
I learned about aphantasia a few years ago. Until I learned about it, I had no idea that people actually "saw" things in their minds. I thought "picture this" was a metaphor.
I do have an internal monologue that won't shut up. I remember things through descriptions and I am really good with color and spacial concepts, so not being able to visualize hasn't been a hinderance in any way. I think constantly "seeing" things would be very distracting.
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I just try my best to tune them out.
?