So far, there’s no clinical research to suggest that aphantasia, or the inability to visualize mentally, is connected to ADHD. That said, the impaired focus and memory associated with ADHD may explain anecdotal reports.

Aphantasia refers to a condition in which it’s either impossible or very difficult to picture images in your brain.

For example, those with aphantasia may be unable to remember what their own partner’s face looks like in their mind or find it impossible to visualize a scene from a book. Although it’s rare, it’s not necessarily a reason for concern.

Though some people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report an inability to mentally visualize, so far, there’s no clinical research to suggest a link between aphantasia and the condition.

That said, common features of ADHD, such as issues with memory, details, and focus, may explain some of the presumed overlap between the conditions. Here’s what to know.

Currently, there’s no research that directly links aphantasia and ADHD. Since the term “aphantasia” wasn’t even coined until 2015, it may take some time before scientists thoroughly explore this connection.

However, a recent study on developmental prosopagnosia (DP), also called face blindness, which is similar in nature to aphantasia, does offer some potential insights into the connection. DP is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intense deficits in facial recognition ability, despite possessing neurotypical vision and intelligence.

While aphantasia may also limit one’s ability to imagine faces, those with DP may be unable to actually recognize the faces of familiar people. Furthermore, those with DP don’t necessarily have issues with visualizing their home, objects, or anything other than people.

The potential link between ADHD and aphantasia may be explained by the conditions’ overlapping symptoms, including issues with:

  • Memorization: Those with ADHD also find it difficult to use working memory, which may include visuals.
  • Focus: People with ADHD may have low focus, which can result in issues recalling a specific event, including its visual elements.
  • Paying attention to details: Those with ADHD also have issues noticing details, which may also pertain to visual details of a person, thing, or situation.

The bottom line

ADHD and aphantasia so far do not have any notable correlation. Based on the data available so far, if you have one condition, you’re not scientifically more likely to have the other.

That being said, a 2022 study of 115 people with DP found that about 21% of participants reported having aphantasia, and about 6% reported having ADHD.

Comparably, the estimated global incidence of adult ADHD is about 4.4%. So, there may be an extremely slight association between ADHD, DP, and aphantasia — but more research is needed to know for sure.

If you find it difficult to visualize and also have ADHD, a mental health professional who specializes in ADHD and/or aphantasia can provide the support you need. Keep in mind that there’s not yet an established clinical cure for aphantasia, and it doesn’t necessarily require treatment.

That being said, potential treatments include:

  • Vision therapy: Memory games (including the card game “Memory”), computer games that require picture recognition, and activities that require the description of visuals may help those with aphantasia learn to visualize more effectively. Especially when undergone with the support of a therapist or counselor with expertise in this area, you may make significant headway in visualization capabilities as well as the focus and memory symptoms commonly associated with ADHD.
  • Mindfulness-based therapy: Mindfulness-based therapy is known to help treat symptoms of ADHD and may also potentially support those with aphantasia. By learning to focus on the present moment more fully, you may be able to recall visual details with greater clarity.
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a known ADHD treatment that may also help individuals develop alternate strategies for tasks that typically rely on mental imagery. It may also help manage any anxiety or stress associated with either condition.
  • Neurofeedback: Neurofeedback, sometimes used to treat ADHD, involves real-time monitoring of brain activity. It could potentially help those with aphantasia learn to activate brain areas associated with visual processing.

Get involved

If you have ADHD, aphantasia, or both — you may be able to help scientists better understand both conditions. You can learn more at ClinicalTrials.gov and see an index of currently open trials and studies.

Make sure to always talk about participation with your primary mental and physical health professionals, especially if it involves any changes to your ongoing treatment.

There are also several science-backed ways to potentially improve your memory at home, including:

  • Improving your diet and nutrition: This is known to boost brain health, focus, and memory, which may benefit your visual memory or ADHD-related symptoms. Consuming omega-3-rich foods like fatty fish, reducing sugar intake, staying hydrated, and eating antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables may help.
  • Making other healthy lifestyle changes: This includes establishing a regular sleep schedule, limiting screen time before bed, exercising regularly, reducing stress, and maintaining a healthy weight are all steps known to contribute to improved memory.
  • Challenging your brain: Learning a new skill (playing an instrument, painting, coding) or playing brain-training games (chess, Soduku) is known to improve memory, including visual memory. Working new areas of your brain may also potentially support visual memory as well as reduce ADHD-related symptoms.
  • Using mental strategies: This could include the use of a “mind palace” for visualizing information storage, using mnemonic devices or chunking techniques, or engaging all senses when learning new information may help aid your visual memory as well as improve memory in general.
  • Making memory exercises a part of your daily routine: This may also help you improve your memory in general. Try avoiding relying on your phone’s GPS too heavily when searching for directions, for instance, or actively try to remember information before you look it up online.

Though there are some overlapping symptoms between aphantasia and ADHD, there’s currently no scientific evidence of a link between the two conditions.

Neurodiversity is complex, and every person’s experience is unique. Whether you have aphantasia, ADHD, both, or neither, there are strategies available to help manage symptoms and improve cognitive function. Speaking with a therapist well-versed in your condition is a great place to start.