When you hear “Alice in Wonderland,” you’re likely to think of the well-known children’s story of a girl who falls down a rabbit hole and lands herself in a mystical world of make-believe. You may also be reminded of the scene in which Alice grows and shrinks herself, making her surroundings appear much smaller or larger than they would appear when she is her normal size. Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) can be explained much in the same way
What is AIWS?
According to Cleveland Clinic, AIWS is a brain disorder that skews the way that your brain processes sensory information. AIWS can cause objects around you to appear much larger or smaller than they actually are. Though seeing objects as the wrong size is most common, there are several conditions that can be classified under AIWS, according to the National Library of Medicine. These conditions include:
• Micropsia & Macropsia – objects appear smaller or larger than they are
• Teleopsia & Pelopsia – objects appear further away or closer than they are
• Dysmorphopsia – straight lines appear wavy
• Plagiopsia – vertical lines appear slanted
• Kinetopsia – stationary objects appear moving
• Prosopometamorphopsia – eyes appear unnaturally large
Generally, AIWS is more common in children, with some studies reporting that two thirds of those affected are under the age of 18, according to Cleveland Clinic. Though the condition is considered rare, Cleveland Clinic states that “up to 30% of teenagers experience brief episodes of AIWS symptoms,” even though AIWS may not be the direct cause.
What causes AIWS?
Though there is much more to be known about AIWS within the medical community, Cleveland Clinic reports that a number of other conditions can be responsible for AIWS occurring. These conditions include “migraines, bacterial and viral infections (one of the most common causes), seizures, certain types of strokes, mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, medications (common cough medicines, asthma medications and anti-seizure medications), recreational drugs and inhalants, brain tumors and degenerative brain diseases.”
How can it affect your child?
AIWS can present itself in different ways. According to Healthline, AIWS can cause someone to be at greater risk of experiencing migraines, size and perceptual distortion, time distortion, sound distortion and an altered perception of the ability to control limbs and coordination. Cleveland Clinic does note that visual distortion is much more common than reality distortion (feel of your body, time, emotions), which only makes up about nine percent of AIWS cases.
When should you be concerned?
According to Healthline, AIWS may be underdiagnosed because symptoms often present very quickly and then are over. It can be difficult for people who are affected, especially children, to recognize these symptoms because they happen so quickly. The good news is that AIWS itself is generally not physically harmful. Though a distortion of perception can be confusing and even scary, Healthline says it is important to remember that this distortion won’t hurt the person affected.
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