Actor Brad Pitt revealed in a recent interview that he suffers from prosopagnosia, a rare neurological disorder also known as “facial blindness.”
Dani Blum describes the disorder’s signs, causes, and remedies in an article for the New York Times.
Borna Bonakdarpour, a behavioral neurologist at Northwestern Medicine, claims that face blindness—not color blindness or general vision impairment—is the main symptom of prosopagnosia.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that there is no connection between the illness and memory loss, vision problems, or learning impairments.
Blum continues, “It is not the same as forgetting or occasionally having trouble finding the correct word.
The severity of prosopagnosia will differ from person to person.
For instance, some people might have problems identifying a familiar face, such as that of a close friend or relative, while others might have trouble identifying their own reflection.
Additionally, some people might not be able to distinguish between faces and objects.
Notably, some data indicates that individuals with prosopagnosia may have chronic anxiety or depression due to the loneliness and fear that are frequently associated with the illness.
Blum notes that some people avoid contact with family members and other loved ones out of concern that they won’t be able to properly recognize or acknowledge them.
“Navigating basic social relationships with prosopagnosia can become difficult,” she says.
Pitt admitted that he has trouble recognizing people’s faces for years in a recent interview with GQ, despite never having gotten a formal prosopagnosia diagnosis.
In fact, Pitt claimed in a 2013 interview with Esquire that his difficulty recognizing people’s appearances was so great that it frequently made him want to isolate himself.
He explained, “That’s why I stay at home.
What is the condition’s cause?
People who are diagnosed with prosopagnosia often fall into one of two categories: either they are born with it or they acquire it.
However, estimations reveal that as many as one in every 50 people may struggle with some lifetime form of the disorder, and experts hypothesize that it may run in families.
According to Blum, research “suggests that congenital, or lifelong, prosopagnosia is less prevalent.”
According to Andrey Stojic, director of general neurology at the Cleveland Clinic, children born with the illness “don’t seem to have any visible structural abnormality” in the brain.
Notably, doctors don’t fully understand what causes congenital prosopagnosia because there aren’t any obvious brain lesions in persons who have it.
In contrast, people who develop prosopagnosia later in life may have brain abnormalities brought on by a trauma or head injury.
According to Bonakdarpour, individuals can also develop prosopagnosia while dealing with Alzheimer’s illness or following a stroke.
What therapies are available for prosopagnosia?
Prosopagnosia is now untreatable, according to Bonakdarpour. The problem can be treated, though.
People who have the syndrome frequently attempt to distinguish between people by focusing on physical characteristics like hair color, gait, or voice.
Your Body Will Signal These 7 Warning Signs One Month Before a Heart Attack
Did you know that heart attacks rank as the primary cause of mortality in the United States?
The surge in this ailment over recent years can be attributed to the rapid pace of life and unhealthy dietary patterns. Recognizing the indicators of heart failure well in advance, even up to a month prior, can prove immensely advantageous and potentially life-saving. Alongside adopting a healthy lifestyle and managing stress levels, this foresight can serve as a shield against heart failure.
Here are some signs to heed, as they may forewarn of an impending heart attack within a month, warranting serious attention:
Swollen Feet:
Congestive heart failure may impede the lower chambers of the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively, resulting in the accumulation of blood in the legs, ankles, and feet, leading to swelling.

Fatigue:
Narrowing arteries can reduce blood supply to the heart, compelling it to work harder, culminating in pronounced tiredness and lethargy.
Shortness of Breath:
Diminished blood flow to the heart may entail insufficient oxygen supply to the lungs. Given their interconnectedness, difficulty in breathing could signal a looming medical emergency.
Weakness:
Constricted arteries hinder proper blood circulation, precipitating weakness in the body and elevating the risk of unforeseen falls.
Dizziness and Cold Sweats:
Inadequate blood circulation to the brain poses a grave threat to life, initially manifesting as dizziness and clamminess. These symptoms should never be dismissed lightly.
Chest Pressure:
Discomfort or pressure in the chest could herald the onset of a heart attack, with the sensation intensifying gradually until the actual event occurs.
Symptoms resembling Flu or Cold:
The sudden onset of flu-like symptoms might signify an imminent flu episode. Many individuals mistakenly attribute early cold symptoms to the flu’s onset.
Prompt medical intervention is imperative upon observing these symptoms, whether in yourself or others. Early detection plays a pivotal role in averting a heart attack.
Dr. Travis Stork’s Insights on Heart Attack Symptoms
Heart Attack Cough (Self Aid) Demonstration
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