Out of sight, out of mind: What it is like for people living with 'mind blindness'
People with aphantasia have a cognitive condition that prevents them from visualizing mental images. Aphantasia is a condition that affects one percent of the global population. It is characterized by an inability to visualize scenes, people, or objects in the mind's eye. It can be experienced as total or partial, depending on the individual. While it does not affect one's ability to imagine concepts, it can make it challenging to recall images, especially those of people or places.
It is important to note that aphantasia is not a learning disability or a mental health condition, but rather a different way of processing imagery. It can, however, make it difficult for individuals to recall past events or recognize faces.
There are two types of aphantasia: acquired and congenital. Acquired aphantasia can result from brain damage or injury, often affecting the occipital lobe, which is involved in visual processing. Congenital aphantasia, on the other hand, is believed to have a genetic component, as it often runs in families.
Researchers have found that aphantasia is associated with reduced connectivity between brain areas responsible for visual processing and imagination. It is also linked to facial recognition, social skills, autobiographical memory, and spatial reasoning.
Norah Nkirote, a creative producer at NTV, shares her experience with aphantasia. She describes it as not being able to see anything when she closes her eyes or imagines things. Whenever she is asked to visualize something, she sees nothing. She relies on her feelings and memories of interacting with people and things to get by.
Lynn Wanjiru Kihara, a 28-year-old nurse from Murang'a County, shares her experience with aphantasia. She explains how she discovered her aphantasia and how it has affected her life. She was shocked to learn that she was among the few people who could not visualize things in their minds. She always thought everyone functioned like her.
Symon Kariuki, a cognitive neurologist and researcher at the Kemri Wellcome Trust in Kilifi, explains that aphantasia is a different way of viewing the world, and imagination is how the brain "simulates" something based on knowledge or past events.
Aphantasia is not a disorder or a disability, but rather a difference in brain wiring. It is like being left-handed or right-handed, which doesn't significantly affect one's daily life.
Researchers are still investigating the causes of aphantasia. While it is believed to have a genetic component, it can also be acquired due to brain damage or injury. It can be diagnosed through a series of tests, including the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) test.
There is no standard management procedure for aphantasia since it is not yet recognized as a problem. However, research is ongoing, and there are potential benefits, such as being less susceptible to mental health disorders.
Individuals with aphantasia may face challenges with facial recognition, social skills, autobiographical memory, and spatial reasoning. Nonetheless, they may also be more attentive to detail and less influenced by emotions or memories.
Having aphantasia makes one feel special, according to Kihara, who says it makes her want to educate people about it and build a community. She has established that aphantasia has some downsides, such as not being able to report sexual assault or describe the perpetrator if one has no mental images to describe them.
More research is needed to fully understand aphantasia and its relationship to other conditions such as autism and dyslexia.