Prosopagnosia is the disorder wherein the affected person can’t recognize faces. They have an inability to process the face as a whole and recall the features. This is interesting to me and I think it would be a great characteristic to give a hero/heroine in a story such as a romantic suspense. Wouldn’t it be an awesome plot point to have a character being stalked by someone that they couldn’t recognize from day to day? After all, these Friday Facts are supposed to give some writing ideas.
I have not researched this condition in any detail and I would do so before I used it in a story. I mean no disrespect to anyone that suffers this disorder as it must be horrible. I just think it is something that could be worked into a novel.
I myself have whatever disorder that would be the inability to remember names. Faces I can recall. Always. Names, not so much. It usually takes me four or five times meeting someone to get their name down. I have tried all those little memory games and they don’t work. I’ve gotten to where I just tell people when I meet them that this will be the first of five times I will be asking their name. Better to own it, yeah?
Jillian Chantal 
Interesting! And here I thought it was just lack of attention, not an actual condition. I’ll have to be more tolerant now if someone doesn’t remember me.
By: danicaavet on December 17, 2010
at 7:28 am
I like that- reaping tolerance!
By: sfcatty on December 17, 2010
at 7:33 am
I hear ya. I have the name thing for sure. I’m horrible at it and have gotten to the point where I say the same thing as you to people I meet. 🙂
By: Lynn Rush on December 17, 2010
at 9:28 am
Lynn- another thing in common! I knew I liked you!
By: sfcatty on December 17, 2010
at 9:32 am
If you have any questions about prosopagnosia, feel free to ask. This link might help you gain a little understanding:
http://findingstrengthtostandagain.wordpress.com/?s=prosopagnosia
It is a condition that brings confusion, sadness, frustration and even humor. I like to tell people that I will give them a thousand chances to make their first impression with me! 🙂
Tara
By: findingstrengthtostandagain on December 17, 2010
at 10:17 am
Thanks Tara- I may just do that. I’m very intrigued by the condition and would love more info- I’ll check out your link.
By: sfcatty on December 17, 2010
at 10:27 am
Oh, I always remember a face, NEVER names. It took three months until I could remember teacher names for my children. Ugh. Too many names to remember. 🙂
By: Ciara Knight on December 17, 2010
at 2:22 pm
That seems to be the consensus with you, Lynn and me! LOL!
By: sfcatty on December 17, 2010
at 2:31 pm
It sounds like a horrible thing to deal with. Especially as a mother. TO not be able to recognize your child’s face. How sad. Very intriguing though. Thanks for sharing another interesting fact.
By: Darlene on December 19, 2010
at 8:59 pm
Darlene,
It is sad to only know your kids by their clothes. It can be very frustrating!
However, I can also find humor in not recognizing myself in the mirror. On more than one occasion I am startled to see a lady in my house looking at me only to relax when I notice that I am in front of a mirror and that “lady” is me!
By: findingstrengthtostandagain on December 20, 2010
at 10:26 am