Brad Pitt said in a recent interview that he has a rare brain condition called prosopagnosia, or “facial blindness.” This makes it hard for him to recognize faces. It doesn’t affect his ability to learn or remember things, but it can cause anxiety or sadness because of social difficulties.
Some people are born with prosopagnosia, while others get it later in life. If it’s congenital, there are no obvious brain problems, so we’re not sure what causes it. But if it’s acquired, it might happen because of injuries or illnesses like Alzheimer’s.
Even though there’s no cure, people with prosopagnosia can learn to recognize others by listening to their voice or watching how they walk. Doctors use memory and face tests to diagnose it and make sure it’s not a sign of a more serious problem.
Lots of people, like Pitt, might never get told officially that they have prosopagnosia because its problems are quite normal. While it’s tough for some, others find ways to deal with the difficulties it brings in social situations.