A life with prosopagnosia

Cogn Neuropsychol. 2012;29(5-6):354-9. doi: 10.1080/02643294.2012.736377. Epub 2012 Nov 27.

Abstract

The author gives an anecdotal account of his life with developmental prosopagnosia (DP). He was not formally diagnosed until the age of 53 and has evolved a complicated strategy for recognizing people based on non-facial physical features and context. He describes his experiences through infancy, school, university life and courtship, work and family life. He believes that he has lived a full and successful life despite DP but that some aspects of his social and work life were impaired by face-blindness. In his experience people react positively and helpfully if the consequences of DP are explained to them, and this improves social interactions and communications.

Publication types

  • Personal Narrative

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Prosopagnosia / congenital*
  • Prosopagnosia / psychology

Supplementary concepts

  • Prosopagnosia, hereditary