Difficulty With Facial Recognition - Symptom?

[WillThereBeCake]

I have been experiencing this for a few years. It was only after my diagnosis that I realized there might be a connection. I used to be able to remember every face I encountered, but for the past few years, I can not even recognize close friends, but here's the rub, it only happens with males. I thought it might be a stem from some physical injury (although I wouldn't know what), but after coming here, and reading a few books, I am wondering if this is some kind of disassociation.

I can remember everything else about these men. Their wives names and faces, the names of their children, even the names of their dogs, but I could not pick them out of a lineup unless there is some other identifier present.

My husband has been a big help with this, telling me clearly who is coming to the house, or whispering to me in a store that a certain friend is approaching. If they are not a close friend, but someone he knows that I have met, he'll give me a quick explanation about where I know them from, etc.

I also have no problem recognizing still photos, so I am registering these people's identities at some level.

Has anyone else experienced anything like this or heard of anything similar from other PTSD sufferers?

If it's not PTSD, and I have a family of iguanas living in my brain, I'd really like to know.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I find it fairly difficult to remember a lot of faces, but mostly because I avoid looking at people too much, I think. I think with me it varies and I put down to brain fog that is at least in part caused by the PTSD. Sorry I can't be of anymore help than that! But I know more people by their dogs than anything else.

AJ
xx

 

[The Albatross]

I have difficulty in this area as well, I do recognize faces as "vaguely familiar" but can't connect a name, time period or place with many people in my past. I don't know if it's connected to PTSD or not though. At times I can recall, usually a few weeks later who the person was. Other times a person I don't recognize at all "acts like they know me" and it makes me uncomfortable.

Several months ago, a man did this at a convenience store, following me to my car and even leaning on the drivers side door to talk. I did not recognize him at all, and it felt very uncomfortable for me though I tried to carry on a basic conversation hoping to jog my memory enough by his replies to find out who he was or where he knew me from. During these times, I compensate and bluff my way through the conversations hoping I'll remember. I seldom do.

About two months later, I stopped in to the shop to get an appointment to cut my hair and recognized the man as the barber. :O_o:

I don't know if it's self protective or damage. I know that it's happened with people from all aspects of my life, men and women alike and it doesn't seem to matter if it's been a couple months or 25 years.

 

[WillThereBeCake]

I do wonder if it is more part of an overall brain fog, and connecting with those things I feel more comfortable with - ie, women and dogs. Yes, I can see a dog and know it's life story, but can't call its owner by name.

Like you Albatross, if I see someone in context, I can identify them. I have no trouble identifying my mail carrier, or UPS driver, IF the arrive in their vehicle. If I saw them in a store, I'd probably be lost.

I imagine it might be a two-part issue. First, I don't want to focus too much on men because at some level I fear I might create another stalker (didn't say it was logical, just possible). Second, it is just the fog that overshadows many other levels of PTSD.

It is still bizarre and bugs the heck out of me.

 

[The Albatross]

Will There Be Cake, I think that this type of thing really threatens my confidence about my sense of safety. I hope others come on here and talk about it because if there's a remedy or solution, I'm up for it. For whatever reason, don't tend to just ask directly, "Pardon me, I don't remember you. Where did I meet you and what is your name please?"

 

[WillThereBeCake]

I think that this type of thing really threatens my confidence about my sense of safety.

You've got that right Albatross. I'm am scared to death that I wouldn't even recognize my own stalker. On the other hand, I'm just as worried that I'd nut knee some innocent fellow that had the same physical outline. "Oh sorry officer, I thought the waiter was bringing me a decade of hell, with a side of fries."

It is very disorienting, and only compounds the other anxieties I have to fight when I venture into civilization.

Bugger!

 

[safenow]

I have struggled with this problem for years and years. For me, being a multi is what started it. (Dissociation if you will.)

I am very paranoid of people knowing me without me knowing them. I tend to either ask who they are and where I know them from, or I'll just smile, then turn around and walk away. I know. I'm rude. But my last husband put a contract out on me years ago, and I'm still paranoid of strangers.

I think it helps if they call me by name. That way I can tell who they know within my system. LOL

 

[The Albatross]

Very glad this topic came up, because I recently learned that my last stalker is still in my area. The last three addresses are between 3 blocks and a half mile away. I was talking some about it with my mother in law, who witnessed an event on Friday. And part of my angst was expressing doubt that I would even recognize this guy at all due to a decade passing and my problem in this area. That is part of the reason I want to pay for his personal information online which supposedly includes a photo. It feeds anxiety for me and makes me less confident to get out in my yard and do the challenges (where my stalking events occured) because between my eyesight and recognition problem... well I won't be able to determine with certainty that it is even him.

 

[WillThereBeCake]

my last husband put a contract out on me years ago, and I'm still paranoid of strangers.

Uh, Safenow, I think that transcends paranoia. Oh, what is that saying, "Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you."

Yeah, that is a bona fide fear.

 

[The Albatross]

Funny but sad that I was writing my reply as you posted WTBC and we were both concerned about our ability to identify our stalker.

 

[WillThereBeCake]

I recently learned that my last stalker is still in my area

I had seen your status update, but wasn't sure how to tag you to ask how you were feeling about this. I hope I didn't encourage you to do something that made you more scared.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

I hope others come on here and talk about it because if there's a remedy or solution, I'm up for it.

I have found the problem much less since I stopped going outside/ talking to people.. just saying! :P