Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

Just like the movie!

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

Signs
&
Symptoms

Signs & Symptoms

  • Sufferer has distortion in the sizes of objects 
  • Can feel their body is getting smaller or larger
  • Migraines are most obvious symptom 
  • Perception of time is also affected - goes very slowly or too fast
  • Hallucinations are also a possible symptom - seeing false images or misperceive situations and events 
  • Affects sense of hearing and touch along with vision perception

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2517964/The-real-life-Alice-Wonderland-Woman-24-rare-disorder-makes-feel-objects-growing-shrinking-her.html#v-2891588810001

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 
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