What is it?

• First discovered by John Todd in 1955
• Neurological disorder that breaks signals from eyes to brain- change in parietal lobe
• Mental disorder that distorts perception
• Change in parietal lobe (sensory perception)
• Very rare condition

Causes

• Strong migraines important cause (as well as affect)  
• Brain tumors can also trigger 
• Using psychoactive drugs
• More common in children 
• Hardy any association with age, gender, or race
• Temporal lobe epilepsy -seizures occur in temporal lobe 

Affect on family

• It is a neurological disorder, so doesn't pose a real threat to the sufferer, or those around them 
• It's more like an inner battle
• Causes can be genetic
  •  one person found out her mom and siblings had it, as well as her daughter
  • Can be environmental or genetic
• Sufferer feels very helpless to what happens and it is hard on family members because they can't do anything to help

Did you Know?

• Lewis Carroll (author of alice in wonderland) was said to have the symptom and used it as inspiration for the book  
• In 2010, it was estimated that around 300 people in the US have AIWS
• It most commonly affects children, more than adults 
• The episodes they have usually can last anywhere from 20- 60 minutes 
  • The longest its lasted for a sufferer is 2 days

Treatment 

• Doctors treat the migraines cause they are the root of the disorder
• Antidepressants and anticonvulsants are often prescribed 
• Suffer can be suggested to follow a strict diet (i.e. no chocolate, meat, refined sugars, etc.)  
• Some cases, the condition fades out
• Good rest always helps 
• Support/discussion groups can help them no feel so alone and frightened