2020 has given me a new goal for this website. While I am trying to share my experience on what happens in my life. I will also try and bring awareness to other diseases, illness, injuries etc.
The more aware we can be of the diverse out in the world. The more we can be accepting and there for one another.
So the first one I have picked up on is Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AWS).
Now. I just wanted to say I never went out looking for this one. However, my 2019-2020 Program for Figure Skating is Alice in Wonderland. And I was trying to look at the outfits to get costume ideas and I was looking at song ideas and randomly in my search list this showed up.
So. Here we go.
What is Alice in Wonderland Syndrome?
Another name for Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is Todd’s syndrome. It is named after the founder John Todd who compared the symptoms to those Alice see’s in Alice in Wonderland.
Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AWS) is a rare conditionTrusted Source that causes temporary episodes of distorted perception and disorientation. You may feel larger or smaller than you actually are. You may also find that the room you’re in — or the surrounding furniture — seems to shift and feel further away or closer than it really is.
This condition usually affects kids. And when they get older, they tend to grow out of it. However, some adults still get the episodes.
What one experiences/symptoms?
Most episodes are different from case to case. Even for one person all the episodes may not be the same.
Migraines are a key symptom. Some researchers believe that AWS is a type of migraine.
Micropsia-Your body or objects around you are getting smaller.
Macropsia- Your body or objects around you are getting bigger.
Perceptual- Objects near you are growing larger or that they’re closer to you than they really are, you’re experiencing pelopsia.
Teleopsia is the opposite of Perceptual. It’s the sensation that objects are getting smaller or farther away from you than they really are.
Loss of sense of time.
Sound Distortion. Sounds louder then it actually is.
Loss of Limbs Control/Coordination– “This symptom occurs when muscles feel as if they’re acting involuntarily. In other words, you may feel as though you’re not controlling your limbs. Likewise, the altered sense of reality can affect how you move or walk. You may feel uncoordinated or have difficulty moving about as you normally would.”
Cause of AWS?
There is no known cause of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. There could be some possibilities.
Infection is also a high possibility. There was a study and 33% who had experienced an AWS episode had an infection.
Other causes could be;
- Stress
- Cough Medicine
- Hallucinogenic Drugs
- Epilepsy
- Stroke
- Brain Tumor
Testing and Diagnosis?
There is no accurate testing for AWS. However, other tests could be done in order to rule out anything else.
Because this condition is only presented in kids/teens (mostly). It may be under-diagnosed.
Since it is under-diagnosed, it is not very well known in the Medical Field. One that needs to be searched upon more.
Did you know about this condition?
Deidre Matthews 