Aphantasia - Mind Blown

[ramee]

This explains why I thought it was weird I don’t remember much from childhood. But I can remember some things from as early as 2 years old. And I dream like I’m in a movie. Seems like a mixed bag.

 

[cabanafrau]

I didn't realize it was a thing until this thread, but it makes so much sense. There are lots of different ways our brains are wired differently, I just wasn't aware of this one.

I know myself I'm always mystified by the idea of song mashups or people rearranging songs. I hear what they do, but I could never do it myself no matter how I try. For me a song is forever the way I learned it or first heard it, period, full stop, brain will go no further.

 

[NotUrsula]

Yeah, I can't actually "see" that apple, either, but I do keep the details in my head -- I just have to use my hands and a pen to reproduce them. I guess it's a "word picture" -- because it isn't a real image, except when I dream. My dreams contain very specific visual images, down to license plates; but I could never tell you once awake what the number was, unless I'd had cause to read out the number in my dream, in which case I'd remember the words for it, not what it looked like.

I'd give a whole lot to be able to actually "see" now-deceased loved ones. (We're not a family who takes a lot of actual photos.)

 

[ronandannette]

Not only can I picture things in my head, at my therapist's suggestion I created a 'safe space' room in my brain where I can go when I'm feeling overwhelmed or when I can't sleep because of stress. I'm picturing the room as I type. I could tell you the details of this room down to the smallest things.

I didn't know that a lot of people have no visual memory. I have memories in my head from childhood complete with sounds and smells.

Again, I'm not clear how a lot of this connects, but smells (scent memories) are a MAJOR trigger for me, both positive and negative.

 

[luvthatduke]

This topic reminds me of an article about Brad Pitt not being able to remember people’s faces. I thought that was odd.

I have this condition.
I was so glad to read about Brad Pitt when that came out!
I've had it my whole life, but in my family asking about things
or "complaining" about something was absolutely not encouraged.
I have kept so much inside since kindergarten or before because I knew
that I would be told that it wasn't true or that I was being too sensitive.
This condition was one of them.

Anyway, the face thing is really hard to live with.
I not only don't remember people's names, I don't remember their faces.
DH is my biggest helper, as there have been numerous times since we
got married that he knew I didn't remember someone even though I'd
"met" them more than once.
I'll give him a look & he'll say, "You remember so and so."
I am very grateful for his help.
Ironically, I'm able to picture people in my mind but I have walked
right by people many, many times, not recognizing them in person.
When DS was born I spent hours studying his face, as well as the back of his head,
as well as his aroma.
I was scared to death that I wouldn't recognize him in a crowd or if I was picking him up somewhere.

Thanks for listening.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Yeah, I can't actually "see" that apple, either, but I do keep the details in my head -- I just have to use my hands and a pen to reproduce them. I guess it's a "word picture" -- because it isn't a real image, except when I dream. My dreams contain very specific visual images, down to license plates; but I could never tell you once awake what the number was, unless I'd had cause to read out the number in my dream, in which case I'd remember the words for it, not what it looked like.

I'd give a whole lot to be able to actually "see" now-deceased loved ones. (We're not a family who takes a lot of actual photos.)

Artists I know are the same! Maybe this is a thing?

 

[fla4fun]

lol. I can imagine scenery or what a character looks like with given details. But this thread makes it seem like I should be watching a movie in my head.

It’s funny that you put it this way, because that’s how it works when I write. I sit in front of the computer, and it’s like I am watching a movie and I just write it down as it happens, conversation and all.

As a writer, I am curious . . . Does it help you to get into the story if there are more descriptions of people and places? I am wondering if perhaps I am not being descriptive enough to assist people who may process information as you do.

 

[amylevan]

As a writer, I am curious . . . Does it help you to get into the story if there are more descriptions of people and places? I am wondering if perhaps I am not being descriptive enough to assist people who may process information as you do.

I actually hate overly detailed descriptions. I can’t “see” it so I honestly don’t care - particular of things like furniture. I don’t like Stephen king for that reason.

But I suspect this may not be typical across the board.

 

[ramee]

I actually hate overly detailed descriptions. I can’t “see” it so I honestly don’t care - particular of things like furniture. I don’t like Stephen king for that reason.

But I suspect this may not be typical across the board.

I agree. Not interested if it’s not necessary to the story.