Prosopagnosia or Face Blindness

Prosopagnosia, also called face blindness, is a condition where people can’t recognize faces or interpret facial expressions and cues. Conditions called agnosias interfere with how the brain processes sensory information. Prosopagnosia can be acquired (due to brain damage) or congenital (shows up in 2.5% of people, as it runs in some families). The condition is difficult to diagnose, and there’s little data on acquired prosopagnosia. It’s unclear whether it’s a condition or a below-average ability to recall faces. Prosopagnosia is often a source of anxiety. People feel embarrassed or ashamed of not identifying faces and may avoid social situations.