hyperphantasia

English

Etymology

From hyper- +‎ phantasia; from Ancient Greek φαντασία (phantasía, “perception, impression, image, look, appearance”).

Noun

hyperphantasia (uncountable)

1. (psychology, pathology) A condition where one's mental imagery (the mind's eye) is extremely realistic, to the point of confusion with reality.

   Antonym: aphantasia

   • 2021 June 8, Carl Zimmer, “Many People Have a Vivid ‘Mind’s Eye,’ While Others Have None at All”, in The New York Times‎^[1], →ISSN:

     Charles Darwin left behind writings hinting at hyperphantasia: When he was once asked to recall the objects that had been on his breakfast table that morning, he said they were “as distinct as if I had photos before me.”

Derived terms

• hyperphantasic