I hypothesise that having aphantasia helps with helping others in emotionally challenging situations. I experience that people around me struggle to hear, for example, a detailed story about sexual abuse; it is simply too intense for them to even hear about it from a victim. So, I was wondering if maybe their ability to visualise what they hear makes it difficult for them to keep their inner distance and protect themselves. Even though I am very empathetic and can imagine what anyone may feel, I can mostly keep my distance. Which makes me able to listen to loved ones and their trauma and support them without wearing myself out emotionally.
So maybe aphantasia is a key competence for a social worker, etc.?
