Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is a neurological disorder that causes visual, auditory and tactile hallucinations, often making objects appear to shrink or grow. It is most commonly associated with migraines, epilepsy and mononucleosis, and can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) is a neurological disorder that interrupts the messages sent from the eyes to the brain, causing a corresponding distortion in visual perception. This condition can also cause strange distortions in the sense of touch and sound in the patient. Children are most commonly affected by AIWS, although it can also occur in adulthood. This syndrome can confuse and frighten the patient, as it may appear that she is going crazy in a strange Lilliputian world with fractured vision and strange hallucinations.
This condition is also known as micropsia, a reference to the fact that objects, animals and people often appear to shrink in the hallucinations associated with it. The original name was coined in 1955 and refers to the strange events of the Lewis Carroll novel of the same name. Some researchers suspect that the condition may have affected Carroll himself, which is perhaps why the visions in the book seem so frighteningly real to some readers.
In the most common form of Alice in Wonderland syndrome, the patient hallucinates, thinking that objects around him or her are growing or shrinking. The sense of distance can also be impaired, with objects suddenly seeming very close or very far away. Some people also experience a distortion in the perception of their body parts, thinking that various parts of them are larger or smaller than they should be.
In some cases, the sense of touch may be distorted. Sufferers may think they are sinking through the floor or going through walls and may experience fractured vision that looks like a complex mosaic. Auditory hallucinations can also occur, with sounds appearing louder, softer, closer, or further away than they actually are. This condition can be very disorienting and sometimes frightening.
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is linked to several conditions. It is most commonly associated with migraines and severe headaches and can serve as a warning for the onset of a severe migraine. It has also been linked to epilepsy and the onset of mononucleosis and the use of some recreational drugs. Micropsia is a cause for concern because it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition and people who suffer from it should see a doctor. A healthcare professional may be able to offer treatment for the cause of the condition, along with suggestions for addressing the symptoms.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
