Hyperphantasia
Extremely vivid mental imagery – the other end of the spectrum
Hyperphantasia is the opposite of aphantasia: an extremely vivid, almost photorealistic mental imagery ability. About 3-6% of the population have hyperphantasia – they can 'see' scenes that are almost as detailed as actual seeing.
People with hyperphantasia can create mental images that are almost as vivid and detailed as actual seeing. These images can include colors, textures, movements, and even other senses – sounds, smells, touch sensations.
Characteristics of Hyperphantasia
- Extremely vivid, detailed mental images – almost photorealistic
- Images can occur spontaneously and sometimes uncontrolled
- Strong emotional reactions to imagined scenes
- Can affect all senses – visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile
“People with hyperphantasia describe being able to see scenes as if watching a movie in HD. They can clearly perceive details like colors, textures, lighting, and movements – sometimes so intensely they forget it's just imagination.”
- Strong creative and artistic abilities
- Excellent visual memory – details are retained for a long time
- Intense reading experiences – books become 'movies'
- Difficulty controlling unwanted or negative images
- Increased susceptibility to traumatic flashbacks (PTSD)
- Sometimes hard to distinguish imagination from actual memory
Most people fall somewhere between aphantasia and hyperphantasia. This spectrum is normal and part of human neurodiversity. Neither aphantasia nor hyperphantasia is 'better' – they're simply different ways the brain processes information.
Do you have hyperphantasia?
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