Is aphantasia hereditary?

Does aphantasia run in families? Dr. Adam Zeman explains how this might be the case.

[theresar]

Total mental blindness here. Never knew people could conjur images in their heads until 2 days ago. I always thought it was just something from movies and TV for the audiences benefit. I thought imagination meant just thinking of something.

[tomsanger]

I've had it my whole life. Shocked to check with my mid 40 yr old daughter today that she has it.

[TinNotA]

This is just fascinating to me.
I am really glad I have it actually. I have had severe sleeping problems all my life, my brain is busy enough I can't even BEGIN to imagine being able to see things with my eyes closed!!!!
No thanks!!!

[TheGreatWind]

I have both, mind-blind and silent. I did'nt speak my first word until three, and parroted sound. I learned to speak by hearing and matcing my own sound. However, I was runninng across the floor at seven months from a keen body-sense.

My thoughts are more like silent, subtle, energy movement or impressions that my mind has learned to apply meaning to somhow, I feel the meaning of thoughts rather than hear them. Music is imaginded/experienced the same way. Best way I am able to describe it. Just recently discovered my mother has Aphantasia as well.
I am also on the autism spectrum. I have expressed an interest to my univercity of being part of a study while I complete my degree, but nothing yet.

[diwulechao]

I have aphantasia and my father also has aphantasia. My wife can visualize pretty well. My kid is 2 years old so hard to tell whether he has or not. But I hope he didn't get it from me.

[TheNeurospicyMama]

I have total aphantasia (all senses) and most likely SDAM. My kids can visualize. My mom says she has some imagery but it's not very clear. I'm not in contact with my father so don't know about him. My sister is probably hyperphantasia because she can replay very vivid "movies" in her minds eye.

[shaquirtannis]

Confirmed my dad and I both have aphantasia. Hoping to chat with my dad’s dad soon about it

[Cjorss]

I seem to be the only one in my immediate family.

[christinegreywolf]

No one else in my family that is alive and I can question has aphantasia except for so once again it might be due to a gene mutation but probably needs activating in some manner. Otherwise it does not show up. Kind of like you can carry a BRCA gene for cancer, but not get cancer at all.

[hugh]

My parents, my brother, and I all have Aphantasia. So yeah I agree and assume it's hereditary.

[veeti]

Hey i just found out that i may have this because when i try to think a apple i cannot see anything so what you guys are saying that FOR THE PAST almost 17-years other people can visualise things in their mind. sorry for the poor grammar

[diegoat]

Can I cure this? It’s currently making me lose my sanity... I’m considering seeing some psychiatrist to be medicated it’s really decimating my mental health

[MeliaSketch]

Ah, already I thought so... I have aphantasia and my dad and my brother too. Would be a big coincidence otherwise...

[shahvei]

Nope I’m the ONLY ONE in my family. The f

[Kalense]

That background "music" is horrible and irritating.