Bulletin: August 2023
Call for Papers: The Journal for Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice
The Journal for Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice has launched a special issue ´Hypnotherapy in Clinical Practice´ and are looking for suitable articles for publication.
If you have any papers or know of any authors who do, then please submit your paper (or have the author submit their paper) using this link: https://www.editorialmanager.com/ctcp/default2.aspx
Queries can be directed to either Tod Cury (tod@icchp.com) or Alyx Taylor (ATaylor@aecc.ac.uk).
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Aphantasia: Living with a Blind Mind
Aphantasia, also known as ‘blind imagination’, is a recently labelled rare spectrum condition causing a neurogenic visual imagery impairment affecting an ability to create mental imagery and/or use sensory imagination (Arcangeli, 2023; Zeman, et al., 2015; Zeman, et al., 2010; Farah, 1984).
The phenomenon, first described by Francis Galton in 1880, until recent times was relatively unresearched as can be seen from the timeline of Aphantasia detailed below.
Like many rare conditions with a dearth of research like this one, there’s a tendency to conceptualise it in relation to what it’s not i.e., a lack of something, as it’s often understood better and easier to research that way. It was noted in fact that Zeman, from his recent interest and research into case studies of people diagnosed with Aphantasia, that he wanted to give the phenomena a catchy name and borrowed Aristotle’s term for the mind’s eye Phantasia, and tagged an ‘A’ which means absence, leading to the birth of Aphantasia.
In a world where the hegemonic norm is about being on a spectrum of having an ability to readily use mental imagery and/or sensory imagination to negotiate the psychosocial world, we can sense how Aphantasia could be perceived as a detriment or a disability for those who do ‘suffer’ with it.
However, for those like Author S who are accustomed to living with Aphantasia from birth and find neurodiverse methods of navigating their world through living with it without knowing any different, this phenomenon is far from a hindrance or creating an impoverished quality of life.
Sharon’s personal experience of living with Aphantasia
If I asked you to close your eyes and bite into a lemon, can you think about what you are experiencing? Most of you will have experienced your mouth watering but not me. What about if I asked you to close your eyes again and picture your daughter, son, mother, father etc, did you see them? For me, I cannot visualise what my children look like. Can you imagine what your favourite meal tastes like, or what your favourite singer/actor sounds like………. can you guess what my answer is?
Going back to the 80s when I was in high school, I remember sitting in my Arts class dreading the teacher giving the instruction to draw anything we want. The lesson would go for 40 minutes, and I would literally sit there for most of it racking my brain as to what to draw and wondering why I couldn’t think of something whilst my classmates’ heads were down, and they were all busy drawing. I found myself looking around the room for inspiration whether it was a vase or a picture or even someone else’s drawing just to give me a starting reference.
When reading a novel, I have always hated the long wordy descriptions. For example, when I read The Tattooist of Auschwitz, I never thought for a minute that these descriptions would take others into an imaginary setting where they could visualise how horrific the concentration camps must have been. For me, it is purely words on paper. My mind does not imagine what the characters are going through or even what the character looks like. I do, however, enjoy reading a good horror story as my mind is not vivid and the scariest of books are just not scary without visualisation. So, there are definitely some benefits!
But can you imagine my initial thoughts when I sat in class for my Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy and heard the words of Dr Nathan Cooper, “Imagine yourself on a beautiful sandy beach, notice the soft white sand” …………. “Listen to the sound of the breeze blowing” ………” Feel the warmth of the sunshine”. My mind was racing in a state of panic as I knew I could do none of what had just been asked. I had to find a way around this, after all, I can ruminate on the “concept” of a beach. I know what a beautiful sandy beach looks like, and I have felt the warmth of the sunshine on my skin before. So instead of visualising I found myself doing verbal aerobics of the words and slowly repeating them, word by word in my head……………………………………….
To continue reading Sharon’s personal experience of living with Aphantasia please visit the GHR website Members’ Area where the article will be found under ‘Useful Information’.
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Unlock the Magic Within You – A new book by Dominic Beirne
In this captivating self-help book, “Unlock the Magic within You,” you’ll embark on a profound exploration of your own mind, heart, and soul. Drawing upon powerful insights and practical techniques, this book is designed to empower you to break free from self-imposed limitations, tap into your hidden potential, and create a life of abundance and fulfilment.
With an array of simple yet impactful strategies, you’ll uncover the secrets to reprogram your mind, allowing you to overcome obstacles, embrace change, and manifest your dreams. From harnessing the power of positive affirmations and visualization techniques to embracing mindfulness and self-compassion, you’ll find a wealth of transformative tools at your fingertips.
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Available on Kindle and in paperback
Kindle: https://amzn.eu/d/1KvsL0W
Paperback: https://amzn.eu/d/1FaFxpr
Dominic Beirne is a Senior Practitioner with the GHR and an affiliated Training Provider with the GHSC.
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The Administration Team
Views expressed within the above material and any conclusions reached are those of the author/s
and not necessarily shared by the GHR or the GHSC
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