What Is Aphantasia? Understanding the Spectrum of the Mind’s Eye
Have you ever tried to picture a loved one’s face in your mind and come up blank? Or attempted to mentally rehearse a task, only to find your inner screen completely dark? If so, you might have aphantasia—a condition that affects an individual's ability to visualize images in their mind’s eye.
While first officially named in 2015 by cognitive neurologist Adam Zeman, aphantasia has likely existed throughout human history. Today, researchers are uncovering just how diverse and nuanced this phenomenon is. At Capstone Mental Health, we believe in making invisible experiences visible—and treatable. Let’s explore the different types of aphantasia, how they may affect daily life, and what co-occurring conditions to be aware of.
What Is Aphantasia?
Aphantasia is the inability to voluntarily create mental images. When most people close their eyes and imagine a beach, they can see the sand, waves, or palm trees with varying degrees of clarity. People with aphantasia, however, typically report seeing nothing at all.
Contrary to what some may assume, aphantasia is not a learning disability or necessarily a sign of trauma. It exists on a spectrum and can affect different cognitive domains. The condition is still being researched, and understanding the types of aphantasia can help providers, patients, and families better navigate it.
Types of Aphantasia
Aphantasia doesn’t affect everyone the same way. Below are the main subtypes that researchers and clinicians are beginning to recognize:
Visual Aphantasia: A Spectrum, Not a Switch
Visual aphantasia is the most commonly recognized and studied form of aphantasia. It involves the inability—or significant difficulty—in generating mental images, whether voluntarily or involuntarily. However, it’s not always an all-or-nothing condition. Many individuals fall somewhere along a spectrum, leading researchers and clinicians to identify partial aphantasia and several sub-variations of visual imagination.
Understanding these nuances is key to recognizing how people with visual aphantasia function in daily life—and how clinicians can better support them.
Complete Visual Aphantasia
This is what most people think of when they hear "aphantasia." Individuals with complete visual aphantasia report a total lack of mental imagery. When they close their eyes and attempt to imagine an object, a face, or a scene, they see only blackness or blank space. There is no “mind’s eye” at all.
Example: Asked to imagine a red apple on a white table, they cannot summon any visual experience of that scene—only a conceptual understanding of what an apple is.
Partial Visual Aphantasia
In partial aphantasia, individuals have a limited or inconsistent ability to form mental images. The images may be vague, blurry, or lacking in detail, motion, or color. Some people describe being able to sense the idea of an image without actually seeing it, or can imagine outlines but not textures or lighting.
Example: A person may be able to picture their childhood home only as a vague blueprint—knowing where everything is but unable to visualize specific colors or furniture.
Variations of Visual Aphantasia
No Visual Imagery, But Strong Spatial Awareness: Some individuals cannot see mental pictures but can navigate space mentally with ease. They may “know” where things are without visualizing them—common in fields like engineering or surgery.
No Static Images, But Vivid Dreams: Some individuals have no visual imagery while awake but report vivid dream imagery during sleep. This suggests their visual system functions unconsciously.
Colorless or Monochrome Imagery: In this variation, individuals may be able to summon mental images, but only in black and white or with very low resolution, lacking texture or vibrancy.
Emotionally Triggered Imagery: Some people can only access imagery during intense emotional states, like grief or joy. These moments may spark fleeting mental pictures that are otherwise inaccessible.
Involuntary Imagery Only: This form includes the inability to summon images deliberately, but spontaneous mental images may occur, such as intrusive thoughts or unexpected visual memories.
Understanding these gradations can help reduce misdiagnoses and tailor therapeutic approaches.
Motor Aphantasia
In motor aphantasia, individuals cannot mentally simulate movements. For example, they may struggle to visualize themselves performing an exercise or practicing a new skill in their mind.
This can make motor learning more difficult and may impact individuals in professions that rely on internal rehearsal—such as athletes, dancers, or surgeons.
Auditory Aphantasia
This subtype affects a person’s ability to imagine sounds, such as voices or music. They may be unable to mentally “hear” a song or the voice of a loved one.
It can influence memory, language learning, and emotional recall, especially for individuals who rely on auditory memory to navigate the world.
Olfactory and Gustatory Aphantasia
While less common, some individuals with aphantasia report the inability to recall smells or tastes. For instance, they may not be able to remember the smell of fresh-cut grass or the taste of their favorite dessert.
This can reduce the sensory richness of memory and may limit enjoyment during sensory-based reminiscing or therapeutic exercises that rely on multisensory recall.
Emotional Aphantasia
Some individuals with aphantasia report a lack of emotional connection when recalling memories, likely due to their lack of mental imagery. This can result in emotional flatness and difficulty engaging in memory-based therapies.
They may understand an event occurred and recognize its importance but feel detached from it emotionally, which can complicate trauma processing and emotional healing.
Common Co-Occurring Disorders
Aphantasia is often found alongside other neurodivergent and mental health conditions. Common co-occurring diagnoses include:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Many autistic individuals report features of aphantasia, particularly in emotional or visual recall. This may influence social interaction, empathy, and sensory processing.
ADHD
People with ADHD may experience difficulty with working memory and internal visualization. This can exacerbate executive dysfunction, disorganization, and difficulty with follow-through.
Depression
Individuals with depression often report flattened affect and reduced mental imagery, especially during severe episodes. This “emotional numbness” can resemble aphantasia and sometimes overlap with it.
Anxiety Disorders
People with anxiety may either have vivid, intrusive imagery or a total blankness when trying to visualize calming or positive scenes. Aphantasia may affect the success of exposure-based or imagery-based anxiety treatments.
PTSD
While many trauma survivors experience visual flashbacks, those with aphantasia may re-experience trauma through bodily sensations or emotions instead. This can alter the way trauma presents and how it is best treated.
Diagnosis and Evaluation
Aphantasia is not formally listed in the DSM-5, but there are screening tools available, such as the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ). At Capstone Mental Health, we integrate screening questions into intake assessments for individuals with memory or attention complaints, sensory differences, or trauma-related issues.
Treatment and Support
While there is no medical “cure” for aphantasia, therapy and accommodations can help individuals better understand their unique cognitive profile and thrive. Depending on the type and co-occurring conditions, the following may be helpful:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) adapted for non-visual learners
Executive function coaching
Narrative or metaphor-based psychotherapy
Occupational therapy for motor and spatial awareness
Trauma therapy approaches that don’t rely on visualization, such as somatic experiencing or parts work
At Capstone Mental Health, our neurodiversity-affirming clinicians provide individualized treatment that meets you where you are.
Trusted External Resources
When to Seek Help
If you or a loved one struggles with memory, emotional recall, learning, or daily functioning and suspect aphantasia may be part of the picture, seeking a qualified mental health provider can offer clarity and relief. Especially when co-occurring with ADHD, autism, or depression, early assessment and support can lead to major improvements in self-understanding and functioning.
Schedule with Capstone Mental Health
At Capstone Mental Health, we specialize in working with adults and teens who experience neurodivergence, anxiety, depression, and cognitive differences like aphantasia. Whether in person or through telehealth, our experienced providers are here to support your journey.
Ready to explore how your mind works? Schedule your intake today.