Talking Aphantasia with Ibrahim Imam on The Neurology Lounge
Aphantasia is one of those tricky-to-explain things, but once you understand it, you realise it’s not so unusual after all. It’s the inability to form mental images, a “mind blind” experience, and I had the chance to talk about it recently with Ibrahim Imam on The Neurology Lounge podcast.
In this conversation, we explore my lifelong experience with aphantasia and the journey of discovering it. One pivotal moment came when I was at a campsite with friends, hearing a joke I just couldn’t visualise, and suddenly, realising I was the only one who didn’t see the punchline. It was an eye-opening (or rather, non-eye-opening) moment that set the stage for understanding my mind in a new way.
We also touch on the emotional side of this discovery, from the occasional feelings of confusion and frustration I had as a child, to the relief and understanding that came later in life. But beyond just the mental imagery side of things, we look at how aphantasia affects other aspects of life, like memory, dreaming, and even my relationships. And yes, there are advantages to having aphantasia, which we also explore!
I discuss how I adopted strategies to cope, well before I even knew the term for what I was experiencing. Things like keeping lists, using spreadsheets, and taking endless photographs and notes to help me process and remember. I also share some practical advice for teachers, parents, and students, including how early identification and small educational adaptations can make a huge difference for those with aphantasia.
You can watch the full interview on YouTube here:
👉 Interview with The Neurology Lounge
As well as on these other platforms:
- Spotify: Episode 80. Aphantasia with Joanne Hedger – Author of Aphantasia
- Apple: Episode 80. Aphantasia with Joanne Hedger – Author of Aphantasia
- RSS: Episode 80. Aphantasia with Joanne Hedger – Author of Aphantasia
Feel free to share it with anyone who’s ever said “Wait…you can actually see things in your head?!”
