Unable to picture mental imagery when in my mind

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I have aphantasia too. I had no idea that when people said "picture this" they could actually see images in their minds. I learned about my aphantasia after I learned of my autism in my late 60's, It really helped me understand how come I had so many struggles as a kid. Between understanding my autism and learning I am also aphantasiac, I have a lot more peace of mind and self forgiveness over the things I can't do well. ( and there are a lot of them!)

I have visual aphantasia, can't picture a thing in my mind. I was shocked about a year and a half ago when I realized that others were not like this! It made a lot of sense in explaining parts of my life, and I can make accommodations for myself now I know. Apantasia is not thought at present to be related to autism in any way, but it is little understood and only beginning to be studied. I was surprised that aphantasia can also be of sound, taste, touch, etc. I guess I am lucky to only be missing visualization. It is thought to be neurological and atypical at that, with only about 2 percent of people worldwide experiencing this.