Prosopagnosia
"Developmental Prosopagnosia affects over 2% of the population – approximately 1.2 million in the UK. Most individuals are unaware of why they can struggle to recognise others"
Definition
Prosopagnosia, commonly known as face blindness, is a neurological condition characterised by an inability to recognise faces. This condition can range from difficulty recognising familiar faces to an inability to distinguish between any faces at all, including one’s own reflection.
How It Presents and Feels
Individuals with prosopagnosia may have difficulty recognising friends, family members, or colleagues, even after repeated interactions. This can lead to social anxiety, embarrassment, and challenges in forming relationships.
People with prosopagnosia often rely on other cues, such as voice, clothing, or distinctive features, to identify others. The condition can be isolating, as it may lead to misunderstandings or awkward social interactions.
Common Traits
• Difficulty recognising or distinguishing faces, even familiar ones
• Reliance on non-facial cues (e.g., voice, hairstyle, clothing) to identify people
• Social anxiety or embarrassment in situations requiring face recognition
• Challenges in forming and maintaining social relationships
• Difficulty following visual media that relies on facial recognition
• Potential for misidentification or confusion in social settings