When you can't find your way home

Kelly Turner — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 01:54:40 GMT

Im reminded of the Seinfeld episode where they cant find their car in the parking garage.

When you can't find your way home

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:12:53 GMT

I believe Einstein was famous for other reasons than absent mindedness and a poor sense of direction.

When you can't find your way home

Charlotte Evans, Kansas City, MO — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:35:35 GMT

Is this connected to the developmental disorder dyspraxia or sensory integration disorder? Individuals with SI often can't orient themselves to their environment. They don't read body language cues and have poor spatial relations.

When you can't find your way home

Laura, Spokane, WA — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:25:16 GMT

I'm not as bad as that, I don't get lost in my own house but I do have no sense of direction, and neither did my mother. And to compound it, I panic when I get lost which makes it all the more difficult. I had heard before it had something to do with magnetism. Whatever, I guess I should count my blessings I don't get lost in my own home.

When you can't find your way home

Courtney, Chicago, IL — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:27:46 GMT

Oh my God...after years of teasing from my husband, family and friends, it turns out I'm not (totally) crazy! My husband's co-workers made him buy me a GPS because I called so often to ask directions. I got to the point where I didn't want to drive at all because I would look up and suddenly not know where I was - it's terrifying to be in a car in heavy traffic and not know what to do next. I work in a hospital, and get lost everyday - I look like I'm wandering aimlessly and get alot of dirty looks after I've passed the nurses station 5 times in a row...if only they made indoor GPS!

When you can't find your way home

beachmusic@juno.com — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:48:58 GMT

Perhaps this is why you have map issues.

When you can't find your way home

Isabel, N.Bergen, NJ — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:01:35 GMT

Very weird...interestingly, my four year old has been able to recognize landmarks since he was very little. At two he could recognize buildings around our neighborhood and would tell us that we were on our way home. It isn't limited to just our house however. He also recognizes landmarks around his grandparent's house and knows when we are headed there, even though we don't go very often. Maybe he has an overdeveloped sense of direction!

When you can't find your way home

jpk Middletown NY — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 18:32:24 GMT

...once read that the REM song "Stand" was about a person with this condition, and their coping mechanism. Don't know if that's true.

When you can't find your way home

Cheryl, Austin, TX — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:32:49 GMT

Courtney from Chicago and I must be sisters.

I too have been ridiculed and teased for the same reason. I finally had to accept the fact over the years, that I just have some sort of disconnect in my brain when it comes to not only direction but time as well. I have a poor sense of timing too. Amytime I have to give or accept directions I preface with "I get lost in my own neighborhood". I can't tell you how frustrating it is not to know where you are when you know you should know where you are. Talk about panic...

When you can't find your way home

Pat Craddock, Midland, Texas - limey 1121@msn.com — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:45:00 GMT

Finally! have had this problem since childhood.When in a familiar place suddently everything "turns around" and I lose my sense of direction. It is very disconcerting - sometimes if I blink or close my eyes momentarily I can get things back where they should be.

When you can't find your way home

mom — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:45:54 GMT

thought this would be interesting to you-

When you can't find your way home

MJBecco, Springfield, MO — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:47:23 GMT

After 20 years in the Army, using maps everyday, I can say that directional ability varies greatly. I had soldiers that could never learn to use a map or compass. It was not intellience for they mastered many other skills. They simply could not see a map as representing the earth's surface around them. Interesting article. Pairing up people was very important if I wanted them back!

When you can't find your way home

Cali — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:24:24 GMT

I have gotten lost in my own hometown, in a neighborhood I was fairly familiar with, and again while driving to a restaurant. I have driven to the beach countless times, yet there is no way I could drive without a map. Once a 6 hour trip took 9 hours bc we got lost. But i do have to add that I have never gotten lost in my house. Thank goodness. Bless those people's hearts.

When you can't find your way home

R. Starke — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:43:57 GMT

I read somewhere that Einstein did forget his address when he worked at the University and had to call the school to find his house.

When you can't find your way home

Charles Beatty — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 04:55:14 GMT

It would seem to be a poor neural interconnection through the Amygdala. The G2a synapse transaminase would be a good suspect. Perhaps genetic cross-referencing of those who self-refer to the UBC could provide more definitive answers. It would have been nice if the author of this article would have done more homework about this technical subject before just opening the door and then not providing readers with any real meat to sink their mental teeth into...ah, who am I kidding...most Americans find enough enjoyment in reading fodder such as "People" magazine. Go figure.

When you can't find your way home

Bernadine Riley, Rocklin, CA — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:28:52 GMT

I have had this problem for years. Thank you for the article in educating me on why it happens. I submitted my story in hopes they can find a way to help others.

When you can't find your way home

Kenzie, Kansas City, MO — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 15:55:18 GMT

This is so strange. And so scary! I can't imagine not being able to know where I was and feeling like I was lost all of the time. What is funny is little kids picking up on directions. I am a police dispatcher and we got a call from the hardware store about a little boy about 4 years old who was in the store by himself. He didn't know his phone number or address but he told the officer that he could get him to his house...20 minutes away in another city! He did and the other city called us while the officer was enroute with the child to say they had a hysterical mother on 911 who's husband had forgot he took the child to the hardware store with him! The child gave directions directly to his house. I think that is amazing!

When you can't find your way home

wengmeifang,Shanghai,China — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:12:43 GMT

I am very interested my work, so I want to go on with my work and keep good health untill for a long time. Do you agree with me?

When you can't find your way home

Maxxi, Tacoma Wa. — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:25:31 GMT

I have dealt with this my whole life...I don't panic but calm down and take step by step means to get home.I am 71 and haven't driven in 50 years because of this. lol so now we have a name....Maxxi

When you can't find your way home

brittiney winnoski vermont — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 16:40:32 GMT

When you can't find your way home

cheyenne hunt, ashland, MS — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 17:00:45 GMT

I feel so sorry for these people. Thank goodness I only have trouble with panic attacts.. I sometimes don't know where I am after and during a panic attact. Takes me a while to find my way. That is unnearving to say the least..

When you can't find your way home

M. DeBrosky Saug. N.Y. — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 11:10:12 GMT

I've never had an sense of direction. when shpping in stores would even panic if the person I was with went to another area.I would even dream of getting lost and can't find my way home.It's a terrible feeling. Otherwise I'm just fine. Thought it was just me. so glad there are others like me.

When you can't find your way home

sharon, greensboro,nc — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:42:54 GMT

So what exactly is this new disorder being called?

When you can't find your way home

KB, Roseville, CA — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:51:05 GMT

Thank you for this article. My husband says that I couldn't find my way out of a paper bag with instructions inside. I'm not this way in my house but I have a hard time in malls and large department stores to find the exit. I also have a GPS, it's saved me many times.

When you can't find your way home

D, Seattle Wa — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 02:52:20 GMT

I get lost on the road all the time, but most of the time I keep it a secret and laugh at myself that I did it again. I could be going to the same place I've been many times before, or following someones new directions...either way I usually always get lost. I'm so glad it's not just my blonde hair! LOL

When you can't find your way home

David Smith, Greensboro, NC — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:30:57 GMT

So I'm hearing most of these people have been ubable to orient themselves since they were little, and constantly required help to find places. Maybe if they had been left to figure it out for themselves, they would have developed the ability to orient themself. However since this isnt what happened for these people, and they were always helped, it seems logical that they didnt have a need to develope these abilities. Like a feral child that never learns to talk, and gets to a point in development where they cant learn to talk. If a person never learns how to find there way around, eventually they wont even be able to learn.

When you can't find your way home

David Smith, Greensboro, NC — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:46:06 GMT

When you can't find your way home

lala dood, bramtopn, canada — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:22:14 GMT

some times in absent mindedness i go to the washroom with dirty dishes and i think im going to put them in the dishwasher

one day i took my own dishes off the table(i always do) and i was going to put them in the sink and i ended up opening the REFIDGERATOR!!!

but my sense of direction is really good- i could remember my way to the bramlea city centre frm shoppers world

When you can't find your way home

Michelle, Tampa, FL — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:51:47 GMT

When I was little(8 or 9), I could get lost, literally, walking around my block. I memorized specific instructions to and from school. The slightest detour, such as a road closing, was potentially unnavigable even as a teenager. After years of working on it (and frequent freaking out), it has improved noticeably. I'm still easily disoriented, however, and even small changes in visual cues (new buildings, different time of day) are major obsticles. In contrast, my brother could navigate Anywhere he'd been at least once since he was 3 or 4. Strangely, I'm pretty good with maps. Just don't ask me to memorize them!

When you can't find your way home

JW — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:10:46 GMT

I can travel the same route 10 to 15 times and *maybe* it will click eventually and retain long enough to remain...or,maybe not. I too had my little ones guide me. And, if you're traveling a road that you do know, but suddenly there's a detour....All bets are off and it's try not to panic time!!!! It has nothing to do with having to find your way by yourself as one person suggested. It sometimes *clicks* and sometimes not. So you try to travel with someone else whenever possible. I too have a problem finding the proper exit to the entrance I used when I entered the store and malls. I have to try to remember something at the entrance and hope to retain that info. Again, sometimes yes, sometimes nah....There are also occasions when I'm driving and suddenly seem lost..nothing is recognizable....and just a minute or two passes and all is familar again. But there are those terrific times when I start out to somewhere (new or known) and all progress is smoothe as silk. Those are the ones to remember. And at all times, don't panic (or let others know you are) There's always someone to ask directions from and write it down in the ever so handy notepad!!!!

When you can't find your way home

Andy, Kang Washington, DC — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:35:28 GMT

I can't recall since when exactly I started having trouble with direction. As of now, I have no sense of direction at all. I spent 7yrs in the Army and was always been bad with reading maps and navigating, especially being a medic and in the combat zone, I remember being scared and terrified in Iraq. I used to be pretty good at finding my way around as a child, but as I grew up, it's gotten worse. I wonder if the overwhelming stressors during my teenage years (homeless, trouble with family,..) might have contributed to my mental being?
I ignore to drive at an unfamiliar areas to save my self from an embarrassment and being rediculed.
I'm trying to cope with this disability; it lead me to depression.
Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.

When you can't find your way home

Joyce Balogh, Payne, Ohio — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:01:02 GMT

I've been telling people for years that I am "directionally disfunctional". I made that up because I get lost so often. LOL. I've learned to pull the car over until I can get oriented again. I am 63 and so far I've gotten back home every time. Just don't ask me how I got here or how long it took me.

When you can't find your way home

Peter — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:02:42 GMT

so is this disease that ryoga from Ranma1/2 has?

it would explain why he gets lost all the time.

When you can't find your way home

Kendra , Montana — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:49:26 GMT

I am directionally challenged, and know a few people who are as well. (there are different degrees) I have learned to memorize in order to get around until a place is familiar. I go by street signs and have to watch to see if the numbers are getting higher or lower. I also have set routes. If there is a detour and I have to come from another angle, I get totally messed up. Driving can be difficult at times- but driving a boat is the absolute worst- no signs, no real landmarks, just a bunch of water and trees! Everything looks the same.