Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) or Todd’s syndrome is a rare disorder that alters the way in which the brain sees things. It is a rare occurrence that is believed to happen only a handful of times in the life of affected people. It’s a feeling that individuals can talk about with different degrees of detail, with the most common feature being the sensation of dystrophism.

Cases describes a series of symptoms that are similar. Most of the time, it is a sense of feeling physically smaller or larger in comparison to the surrounding environment. To the person who is experiencing this syndrome report that there is perception that the surrounding is shrinking or growing. There are other stories that involve distortions in visual perception, such as the perception that your surrounding objects are changing. To learn more about the alice in wonderland syndrome, seek Online Counselling at TalktoAngel.

Symptoms

There are a variety of symptoms associated with AIWS, however, none of them are present all together. Each symptom is distinct and can only be experienced over a 5- to 20-minute duration. Unfortunately, each of the symptoms could be the result of a distinct issue and hence making it hard to diagnose.

1. Changes in body image: The most commonly reported symptoms is an unintentional change in the size and shape of body images as it is seen by the person affected. The majority of cases report that people often notice an unnatural size for the hands and head, which is usually larger than normal dimensions, which is also known by the term metamorphosis.
2. A nefarious alteration to perception of vision: The sufferer misconceives the shape and size of objects around them due to a misguided perception of objects surrounding them. Not only people, common objects like cars, houses , etc. might appear larger or smaller than the reality.
3. Time perception distortion: For several people reports, there have been suggestions of distortions in time that result in the speed of time is slower or faster than the reality.
4. Disturbed perception of touch: In people who were diagnosed with this condition it was apparent that familiar objects possess a distinct feeling or sensation when they contact, and this could be unnoticed or inaccurate.
5. Sound perception distortion: Unfamiliarity to familiar sounds and a lack of recognition has been documented in various instances.
6. Headaches This condition is often present in form of severe and numerous migraines.

One important thing to note here is that there are certain aspects that are part of Alice in Wonderland syndrome but are not associated with hallucinations. Moreover, the experience can intense and anxious for the person realizing the fact that what they’re experiencing and feeling isn’t true. The frequency at which and when these episodes occur is a mystery and the episodes are typically brief. People who suffer from Alice in Wonderland syndrome feel that their bodies are bigger or smaller than the normal, and that objects and the people in their vicinity appear larger or smaller than normal.

Due to the distortion of perception of body images a person suffering with the disorder is more likely to suffer from depression. The hallucinations and distortions frighten the sufferer and can lead to panic and anxiety in addition to other signs.

Causes

The most prevalent causes of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome are migraines and Epstein Barr virus infections. It is believed to be one of the initial signs of the Epstein-Barr Virus and typically occurs in children. Migraine is one of the typical symptoms of the alice in wonderland syndrome in the adults.

There are other infections that can trigger the development of this condition. A few of them are Influenza A virus, Mycoplasma and Typhoid Encephalopathy. There are many other causes for this neurologic syndrome like medications, brain lesions, psyche illnesses, strokes and epilepsy, among others. According to research, this syndrome can occur as a result of a brain tumor. Sometimes, head traumas could also trigger the development of the syndrome.

Treatment for Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is not listed within the DSM 5 (Diagnostic Statistical Manual) or the ICD 10 (International Classification of Disorders). It is a difficult to diagnose. These symptoms disorder can be misinterpreted as psychotic, dissociative or other disorders of perception. A neurologist and any other mental health professionals like psychiatrists, psychologist and online counsellor, must be consulted when symptoms are appearing often. Although there isn’t particular criteria for diagnosis testing for blood or other tests, various brain scans are among different tests to help in determining the presence of this disorder. The treatment for this condition is generally done using medications when it cannot be treated by itself (which is the case in the majority of instances). The treatment will also depend on the cause of the condition and the first step to address that to control this condition.

While Alice in Wonderland Syndrome may not be included within either the DSM and the ICD. However, this shouldn’t make it any less difficult for those who are suffering from this condition. In many instances, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome can cause anxiety or depression too. These symptoms and complaints are to be considered serious. It is crucial to seek out an expert in mental health to identify the issue, determine the root cause, and offer effective treatment for the individual suffering from the issue.

For more information, connect with the Top psychologist in India and seek affordable online counselling.