Alice in wonderland syndrome

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS), also known as Todd's Syndrome, is a rare neurological condition that affects human perception. It is characterized by distortions of visual perception, the body image, and the experience of time, reminiscent of the hallucinations experienced by the character Alice in the novel Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of AIWS are visual and perceptual distortions. Individuals may perceive objects as being larger (macropsia) or smaller (micropsia) than they actually are. They may also experience a distorted perception of time (chronostasis) and a distorted perception of their own body image (dysmorphopsia). Other symptoms can include auditory hallucinations and tactile illusions.

Causes

The exact cause of AIWS is unknown, but it is often associated with migraines, brain tumors, and the use of psychoactive drugs. It has also been linked to the Epstein-Barr virus and can occur as a side effect of some medications.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of AIWS is primarily based on the patient's description of their symptoms. There are no specific tests for the condition, but neuroimaging and neuropsychological evaluations may be used to rule out other conditions.

Treatment

Treatment for AIWS is primarily focused on managing the underlying condition that is causing the symptoms. This can include medication for migraines or psychotherapy for individuals who are experiencing the condition as a result of drug use.

See also

• Hallucination
• Migraine
• Psychoactive drug
• Epstein-Barr virus

References

edit 

WikiMD neurology

External links

• Comprehensive information from the National Institute of health.
  

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