Some estimates suggest up to one in 30 people may be affected by developmental topographical disorientation (DTD).

This condition has been described as a lifelong inability to orient oneself — even in extremely familiar surroundings.

People with DTD report getting lost frequently (at least a few times a week) since childhood.

DTD is not caused by a brain injury, a neurological disease or a psychiatric condition.

As far as researchers can tell, this is just simply how their internal navigation system has always worked.

Working closely with people who have this experience through consultation and qualitative interviews, we propose that this sub-type should be termed “atopia”, which literally means to live without a place or map.

The reassuring part is that atopia and DTD is not degenerative and navigation is more trainable than some people might think.