Faces Made of Tree Bark and Dragons: Living with Prosopometamorphopsia
Understanding Prosopometamorphopsia
In a fascinating interview with a woman named Maggie McCart, who suffers from a rare condition known as prosopometamorphopsia, she reveals a world of distorted faces and hallucinations that most of us can only imagine. Prosopometamorphopsia, sometimes referred to as “demon face syndrome,” is an extremely rare disorder that affects patients by causing a variety of wild hallucinations whenever they look at someone’s face. McCart, an administrative assistant at an Illinois university, shares her journey of living life while looking through a fun-house mirror.
Living with Unrecognizable Faces
From a young age, McCart struggled to recognize people’s faces, including her own face. The condition worsened over time, with some faces appearing as though they belonged to people she once knew but hadn’t seen in years. The hallucinations can be as bizarre as faces made of tree bark, distortions, or even completely replaced with mythical creatures. McCart shares how she learned to navigate her daily life despite these challenges.
The Hallucinogenic Nature of Prosopometamorphopsia
McCart reveals that her experiences with prosopometamorphopsia can sometimes feel like a bad acid trip. Faces can undergo bizarre and grotesque transformations, with textures changing, noses and eyes appearing stretched, and geometric shapes replacing facial features. She even recounts an incident where she saw a manager with the head of a dragon. Although these hallucinations can be distressing, McCart has learned to cope with them, overcoming the initial fear they caused.
Searching for Answers
Like many others with prosopometamorphopsia, McCart initially struggled to find a diagnosis for her condition. Doctors were unable to find any abnormalities in her brain, and her symptoms were often dismissed. It was not until she connected with brain science researcher Brad Duchaine that McCart finally found understanding and support. Duchaine helped McCart identify the condition and embark on a journey towards managing and coping with her prosopometamorphopsia.
Embracing the Unsettling and Finding Peace
Despite the challenges prosopometamorphopsia poses, McCart has found ways to alleviate some symptoms. Simple doodles of human faces and accepting the distorted images as a result of her brain acting up have helped her adjust and find peace. McCart maintains a positive outlook, recognizing that the distorted faces are a quirk of her condition and that people, in reality, do not actually resemble dragons.
Living with prosopometamorphopsia has presented McCart with a unique perspective on the world. Her journey sheds light on this extremely rare condition and raises awareness of the challenges individuals with prosopometamorphopsia face while bringing a message of acceptance and resilience.