Is Mind Blindness (Aphantasia) Linked to ADHD?

00:00 Introduction to the Topic
00:45 What is Aphantasia?
01:20 What other cognitive or psychological problems are linked to aphantasia
07:45 Why would aphantasia be linked to ADHD?
10:00 A call to study aphantasia in people with ADHD – there are no studies to date
11:07 Conclusion

This short video explores the hypothesis that ADHD may be linked to a weaker or even absent capacity for visual mental imagery, known as aphantasia. I define the term aphantasia here then discuss some of the other mental and psychological problems that have been linked to aphantasia. I then explain why I wonder if ADHD might involve this sort of mind blindness (aphantasia) as a consequence of the difficulties with nonverbal working memory (especially visual imagery) that are part of the larger difficulties with executive functioning seen in ADHD. Is this problem with nonverbal working memory a result of or possibly worsened by aphantasia? No one knows as there is no research on this issue. I conclude by asking viewers to encourage any students or researchers they known to study this question.

References:

Use Google Scholar to search the journals where you will find many good articles on aphantasia and its correlates.

[quemabocha]

I have both, and honestly it was absolutely more earth shattering to me to realize everyone else was seeing actual pictures in their minds when they said "picture this" or "visualize this" - I felt like people had this incredible super power and I had been sitting there like an idiot thinking all of those were metaphors. Learning I had ADHD was much easier to swallow

[rappar]

I've suffered from ADHD for 50 years and if there is one thing my mind never, ever, stops doing is generating mental imagery.

[tayzonday]

I have hyperphantasia— and extremely long/vivid retention of imagery. My unattenuated hyperphantasia causes executive dysregulation and ADHD-like symptoms . . . because I sometimes cannot devote more than about 5% of cognition to intentional/engaged thinking. In fact, I’m taking two ADHD meds daily now . . . 40mg Vyvanse and 150mg bupropion twelve hours apart.

My primary diagnosis is autism spectrum disorder which often causes the findings of allistic human subject studies to be the opposite of my neurology.

[Jenni_Onine]

I have aphantasia and ADHD. I had no idea other people think in pictures and feelings- my internal monologue is going nonstop all the time. That being said- not being able to visualize something does not diminish my capacity to imagine something. If you ask me to visualize a red triangle, I can’t “see it”. But, I know what red is and I know what a triangle is so I can imagine it. I can manipulate an object or idea in my mind, but it is throw “knowing” (for lack of a better word) and through “seeing” with my mind’s eye.

[VolcanoBez]

This was incredibly validating. I have ADHD and aphantasia and it makes so much sense that the two could be connected. I suppose if anyone looking to study this needs a case study, hit me up. I'm already working on an unrelated dissertation, so it couldn't be me!

[jennytorlage]

when my husband died I eventually sought the help of a psychologist who soon diagnosed me - at age 63 - with ADHD. It was an amazing moment in my life when I could understand my lifelong history of underachievement.
At the same time I was devastated to realize that I had so little visual memory of my beloved husband who I had spent so much of my life with and knew so well. I realised that other people who hardly knew him could recall times and events which they shared with him far more vividly than I could. My memories were of vague 'snapshot' images of him -- often based on actual photographs, rather than video' style recollections of events or just everyday life. It has been a great sadness to me and something which I have felt so guilty about and not wished to tell other people about.
I had never thought of it as being related to the ADHD, but rather some horrible fault in my relationship with him which I could not identify or understand.

[animateclay]

As someone with ADHD, my ability to visualize things - even mechanical (with moving parts) is really good. I can build stuff mentally to know how it will look when I create things. I'm just one person so take it for what it's worth.

[nevilicious]

One of the first things I wondered when I learned of aphantasia years ago (once I got over the fact that others actually experience imagined sensory information in their mind) was "is this why my working memory is so non existent?".
Another was "is this why I and many other autistic people didn't do imagination play as kids?"

[Handle]

I've been with this channel since its inception. How thrilling it is to see you inch up to almost 100, 000 subscribers, Dr. B! It's remarkable that so many of us around the globe can tune in for free to learn more about ADHD from one of the world's leading experts. The internet has brought plenty of rubbish into our lives but here we have an example of knowledge -- and humour! -- being disseminated to anyone who can be bothered to watch and listen. What a blessing! Thank you.

[toni-leepadman]

I was very excited to see this video, thank you. I would love more scientists to look into SDAM - Severely deficient autobiographical memory as well which can co-occur with aphantasia - I personally struggle with both and it has a big impact on my life. Not many drs or therapists know much about them and more research is needed.

[steampunk_willy]

Although there are no journal publications on ADHD and aphantasia, I did find KE Bates' PhD thesis covering Mental Imagery and Visual Working Memory development in ADHD children, "Picture this: an investigation of the neural and behavioural correlates of mental imagery in childhood and adulthood with implications for children with ADHD, " which found ADHD children exhibited typical development patterns. That obviously shouldn't deter anyone else from investigating further, but I wanted to shout out this person for their efforts even though their specific investigation relating to ADHD is not published in a journal.

[Ouiofcourse]

I have a severe ADHD, and let me tell you that seeing image is my greatest talent, I can imagine a billion things so vividly like they're almost real in a second!

But self-motivation is another game, always have to trick myself with external motivation my internal motivation is not functioning...

[barbarapostema]

Fascinating! As a 69 year old ADHD granny who just realized I have aphantasia, this makes so much sense.

[deepestbluesea_]

I'm a 60-year old ADHDer and mental images, often incredibly detailed, often moving, accompany pretty much every thought and certainly every memory. So much so that at times it's like watching a movie. I like it.

[sunla]

I'm ADHD with hyperphantasia (and uncontrollable daydreaming, which gets in the way of reality at times throughout my life)

[thomasfogarty]

Man, you know what study I would love is an examination of the mental adaptations of aphantasia because this video really kneecapped my mood.
I was kind of hoping for that- but I just got more info about my nerfs- which is kind of validating but needed to be in a better headspace to digest this better.

[t_nels]

Thank you Dr Barkley!
I am so grateful for Daniel recommending your youtube channel during Dr Grorge Simon's channel. 🌹

[ADHDworksNow]

What a wonderful day this was!!! Love you both too much 🥹🥰

[KxNOxUTA]

Oooh how fun. I got an email just these days from the study questionnaire on Aphantasia and Hyperphantasia, which I (an ADHD brain) participated in. I'm on the "hyper" end of this. So cool to hear back from that topic!

[FarmerGwyn]

I have ADHD and total aphantasia, I can't visualise anything whatsoever.