top of page
Search

Jumping Down the Rabbit Hole to Learn About Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

  • Writer: officialjustmed
    officialjustmed
  • Jul 2, 2023
  • 4 min read

Imagine walking down the street one day and suddenly, your neighbor’s house appears tiny, way too small for anyone to live in. Then you look across the street and you see a person walking a massive dog. Then you look around and everything is a completely different size and shape. While this may sound strange, this is an actual condition that some people may have. This is called Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. Why the name? Well, if you recall in the movie when Alice experiences similar experiences to this condition. While this may sound a bit silly, this is a rare, but serious condition that people experience. So, let’s jump down the rabbit hole and learn more about Alice in Wonderland Syndrome!


General overview

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is a very rare condition, likely prevalent in those under the age of eighteen. This condition can lead one to view an alteration of their body image and they may view their surroundings completely differently. This is because there are problems in how the brain monitors and regulates body functions, thereby messing up the brain when it tries to detect change in the body. As of now, there is not much research on this condition but it is usually temporary and it goes away over time. However, just because it is temporary does not mean it isn’t serious. From 1955 to 2016, less than 200 cases existed in the world. However, they were serious enough for long-term medical attention.



Causes of the condition

The exact causes of the condition are unknown, however, there are a couple of conditions that may spark it. Migraines, or other types of headaches, can culminate into a disruption of the brain, and lead to the development of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. Additionally, other health conditions related to the brain that can lead to this condition include strokes, seizures, tumors, degenerative brain disease, and more. Additionally, mental health disorders, infections from typhoid fever or varicella, and side effects from medication could spark this condition as well.


The Two Types of Symptoms

In Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, there are two categories of symptoms people can experience. Let’s learn about both of them:



  • Self-Perception Symptoms

These symptoms affect how the brain monitors and can affect how one views their physical self. For instance, one may view that their entire body is too large or tall, or one may view a portion of their body as too small or short. Some people may also experience a derealization or depersonalization from the world. They may feel disconnected from the world or even feel disconnected from themselves. Furthermore, some may also experience a feeling of somatopsychic duality, the feeling as if one was split into two and both halves exist separately. Lastly, some may also lose their sense of time, experiencing a warped sensation of time staying still, speeding up, or slowing down.

  • Visual Perception Symptoms

While people with Alice in Wonderland Syndrome experience a mix of both categories of symptoms, visual perception symptoms are more common. As the name suggests, this type of symptoms causes people to view the things around them differently. Some may view things as different sizes where they could be larger or smaller than normal. People can also be viewed as much smaller than they usually are. People may also view things as if they were at different distances. Objects may appear close, far, or even moving away. General changes in appearance can occur too. Some things may appear distorted and straight lines may become wavy or skewed.

Other general symptoms for people with Alice in Wonderland Syndrome can include migraines, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, warped sense of hearing and feeling, and feelings of terror or anxiety. These symptoms can often affect the daily lives of people with this syndrome and because of the minimal research done on this condition, it is not easy to treat.



How the syndrome is diagnosed

There are many ways to diagnose the syndrome. One way is through imaging tests such as MRI scans or CT scans. This can help find any abnormalities in the shape and structure of the brain. Additionally, electroencephalograms (EEG) can also be used to measure the actual activity in the brain and find any abnormalities. Another common test to use is a visual evoked potential. This test analyzes the eyes and optics to ensure they are working properly. A visual evoked potential is especially helpful to those who have visual perception symptoms. There are many other ways to diagnose this condition, however, these three appear to be the most effective.


Management and treatment

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. However, there are ways to treat the symptoms which can help reduce the severity of the condition. For instance, migraines are one of the most common symptoms of this condition, so medications to treat them can help a lot. Additionally, if one is experiencing a large amount of stress from the condition, meditation and relaxation can further reduce the symptoms. Remember though, this syndrome is usually temporary and will go away over time. However, it is still a serious condition that can affect one’s daily life.


Overall, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is a rare, but serious condition. While very few people get this syndrome, it is still important to research further into it and find better ways to treat it. As always, we encourage you to do further research into this disease if you found this blog interesting.


Work Cited








 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page