Demonic Face Syndrome (Prosopometamorphopsia): Let's talk about this rare condition

Imagine that you are in a place where the face of the person in front of you suddenly changes. The eyes, mouth, and nose are stretched, distorted, and look like a demon. But no one else with you sees it. This is a really disturbing and frightening experience, isn't it? This is not something you just imagined. This is what we are talking about today, a very rare condition called Prosopo Metamorphopsia in medical science.

Simply put, what is Prosopometamorphopsia?

Simply put, this is a rare brain disorder. A person with this condition can see other people's faces as distorted, stretched, and sometimes frightening, like a "demon face." But to others, the face appears normal.

This is a very, very rare condition. Less than 100 cases have been reported worldwide over the past century. Most people only experience this facial disfigurement for a few days or weeks. But for some, the condition can last for years.

It is normal to feel very shocked and upset when you see things like this. Because of this, some people experience great anxiety , avoid socializing, and sometimes even go as far as depression .

What causes this?

Because this condition is so rare, scientists still don't know exactly what causes it, but they suspect that these things may play a role.

• Brain damage: We recognize and understand faces through a combination of several neural networks in the brain. If there is damage to these neural networks and they do not communicate properly, we can see faces differently, distortedly. In most of the patients identified so far, it has been found that the main cause of this condition is brain damage.
• Stroke or Epilepsy: Both of these conditions can affect the brain, which can damage the neural networks that help recognize faces.
• Brain Tumors: In some patients, this condition is caused by a brain tumor. In most cases, these distorted visions disappear after the tumor is surgically removed.
• Mental illness: When no abnormalities can be found in the brain of some patients, doctors refer them to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia .
• Migraines: Although not common, some people have experienced these symptoms during migraines.
• Drug use: People who frequently use hallucinogenic drugs are more likely to experience symptoms that resemble hallucinations.

How do faces look distorted?

For most people, these distorted visions are limited to the face. However, in rare cases, other parts of the body, such as the hands, have been reported to be distorted. The appearance of this vision varies from person to person.

• Some people feel their faces drooping and melting.
• For others, faces can appear much larger or smaller than they actually are.
• Elements such as the eyes , nose, and mouth may appear blurred, shifted, or missing altogether.
• Some people have also reported seeing their eyes floating away from their faces.
• Rarely, some people may experience changes such as distorted faces, changing colors, or faces that look like animals.
• Sometimes, when you look in a mirror, you can see your own face distorted .

The difference between prosopometamorphopsia and hallucinations

It's easy to confuse the two, but there's a clear difference. It's important to understand this distinction.

Let's further clarify this difference with the table below.

How to diagnose this condition?

If you have these symptoms, your doctor will first take your medical history and ask you a detailed question about your symptoms. Since this condition is often associated with brain damage, he or she will order several tests to see what's going on inside the brain.

Among them:

• Computed Tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) test (sees electrical activity of the brain)

It's possible. If all of these scans are normal, your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist to check for other mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia .

How is it treated?

The treatment you receive will depend on the cause of this condition.

• If tests reveal a brain tumor , the doctor will recommend surgical removal.
• If the cause is epilepsy , the condition can be controlled with medication.
• If this is caused by migraines , there are medications for that too.
• The important thing is that in most cases, this condition goes away without any treatment.

If symptoms persist, talk therapy , especially Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), can be very helpful. The therapist will teach you how to manage the anxiety caused by the condition, recognize the symptoms, and deal with them when they occur.

When do you definitely need to see a doctor?

If you have any of the symptoms below, see a doctor immediately.

Are there ways to protect yourself from this situation?

Since the exact cause is unknown, there is no surefire way to protect against it. But taking steps to maintain your brain health can reduce your risk of developing other conditions that can lead to it.

• Stay away from drugs completely.
• Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or playing sports that may cause collisions.
• If you are elderly or have difficulty walking, take steps to protect yourself from falls.
• If you have a condition like migraines or headaches, take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor and follow the treatment plan.
• If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, seek help.

What's next? (Outlook)

Most people recover completely from this condition within a few days or weeks. However, in rare cases, it can last longer. More than half of all reported cases have made a full recovery, with or without treatment. A small number of people who do not recover completely have learned to live with their symptoms through therapy.

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