Brad Pitt's neurological disorder, Prosopagnosia, explained

In a recent interview with GQ magazine, actor Brad Pitt revealed he suffers from a condition called prosopagnosia, otherwise known as 'face blindness.' What is it?

What is prosopagnosia?

Prosopagnosia is a rare neurological disorder, which according to the NHS 'means you cannot recognise people's faces.' The condition 'often affects people from birth and is usually a problem a person has for most or all of their life.' However, you can also acquire prosopagnosia after suffering from brain damage, often following a stroke or head injury.

Pitt expressed concern that the condition was giving him a negative reputation, as 'remote and aloof, inaccessible, self-absorbed.' He also talked about the condition, which he has not been formally diagnosed with, to Esquiremagazine in 2013:

So many people hate me because they think I’m disrespecting them.

You get this thing, like, 'you're being egotistical. You're being conceited.' But it's a mystery to me, man.

I can't grasp a face, and yet I come from such a design/aesthetic point of view. I am going to get it tested.

Can cause social anxiety and depression

The actor said that it became so bad that he often wanted to isolate himself, saying: 'That’s why I stay home.' Pitt also disclosed to GQ that he suffered for years with 'low-grade depression.'

Indeed, according to the NHS:

A person with prosopagnosia may avoid social interaction and develop social anxiety disorder, an overwhelming fear of social situations.

They may also have difficulty forming relationships or experience problems with their career. Feelings of depression are common.

Pitt also said:

Nobody believes me! I wanna meet another [person with the prosopagnosia].

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