Always losing your way, even in places you've been visiting for years? You may have Developmental Topographical Disorientation (DTD). Psychologists from Leiden are investigating this relatively little-known condition at the Lowlands festival. 'The ideal place to study getting lost.'
DTD is a lifelong disorder in which the brain is incapable of making a mental map of its surroundings. The brains of people with this disorder appear to process information differently. Information appears to be processed differently in the brains of people with this condition. 'Even if they've been living on the same street for 30 years, they won't be able to say what the street looks like once they've turned the corner', says Professor of Neuropsychology Ineke van der Ham.
Blue flowers
People with DTD rely on landmarks to navigate. 'They know, for example, that they have to turn left at Zeeman and right by the blue flowers', she says. 'But if one of these landmarks disappears - for example, because the council removes the planters - they can easily lose their bearings.'
DTD is fairly common: estimates run from around 3 to 8 per cent of the population. Yet relatively little is known about it. Van der Ham hopes to change this. 'Many people with DTD are ashamed of losing their way, but it's got nothing to do with intelligence.' She compares the condition with dyslexia, for which there is greater understanding nowadays.
Unique opportunity for research
The researchers are going to Lowlands not just to collect data, but also to talk to festivalgoers. The festival also provides a unique research environment. 'Lowlands attracts a diverse group of participants in terms of age, gender and educational background. Some will have drunk alcohol or taken other substances, but it's interesting to include that in the research too.
'We still lack reliable diagnostic criteria', Van der Ham adds. 'A festival is the perfect test environment: big, unfamiliar and full of people. We simply couldn't replicate these conditions in a laboratory.'
Space Maze
The psychologists will investigate how people navigate, both in a 'Space Maze' and on the festival grounds themselves. Can participants find the closest toilets? And do they know the quickest route to the Alpha tent? The answers should help researchers better understand how DTD works and how the condition can be diagnosed.
How to avoid getting lost
Many festivalgoers will recognise the situation: stumbling in the dark through the campsite and being unable to locate your tent. Does Van der Ham have any tips to avoid getting lost? 'Look at the site map in advance and study it carefully. See what landmarks you can use to navigate.'
People who are good at navigation use two strategies, says Van der Ham. The first is allocentric navigation, which involves using a mental map of our environment. The second is egocentric navigation, where we navigate from our own perspective.
Run to the toilet
'The trick is to use the right strategy for the right task. If you need to run to the nearest toilet, you'll mainly rely on egocentric navigation. If you need to meet a friend on the other side of the site and then find your way to a specific stage, allocentric navigation tends to be better.'
And her last piece of advice? Give Google Maps a miss now and then. 'Challenge your brain and try navigating from memory.' Research suggests that heavy use of navigation apps may come at the expense of our own navigation abilities. Keep training your brain so you can find your way without a phone.'
Would you like to take part in the DTD study? Or would you like to learn more about the condition? Come to Lowlands Science during Lowlands 2026 (21- 23 August). Lowlands Science is right next to the Alpha tent.
