As a first step to self-diagnosis you may want to check out ten situations which people with prosopagnosia often find difficult.This quiz is not scientifically tested, but simply based on the types of experience that people with prosopagnosia commonly report.
Just answer Yes or No.
You will score 1 point for every ‘Yes’ and 0 for every ‘No’.
Do you keep track of someone you’re out with by checking items of clothing, hairstyles, or jewellery?
Do you generally avoid using names when talking to people?
Do people sometimes seem to know you even though you don’t recognise them?
Do you recognise people by listening to their voice or watching how they move?
Do you have problems following characters when watching TV or films?
When eating out do you struggle to remember who your waiter or waitress is?
Have you had problems identifying family and friends when you have met them unexpectedly?
Have you ever not recognised yourself on CCTV or in a photograph?
Do you have problems trying to get a picture of someone’s face in your mind?
Do you worry about arranging to meet people in public places and then not recognising them?
This is a quick, non-scientific indicator, but if you have scored 6 or more you may want to consider the possibility that you could have face blindness.
A group of UK-based researchers have developed a validated measure of prosopagnosia severity which takes the form of a 20 item self-report questionnaire. This online test is linked to research centres in London, Reading and York, so that you can complete and self-refer yourself as a potential participant at the same time. Alternatively you can download a self-score version of this Prosopagnosia Indicator.
You can get a more formal and thorough assessment by volunteering to participate in research projects at universities across the UK, either by contacting them directly or completing a validated self-report questionnaire.
