What is Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS)?

Have you ever wondered why Lewis Carroll's "Alice in Wonderland" seems like such a trippy and surreal journey? Well, there's a fascinating theory that connects this whimsical tale to a peculiar phenomenon known as "Alice in Wonderland Syndrome" or AIWS. This syndrome is closely associated with migraines and can offer a curious glimpse into the world of distorted perceptions. It has been said that Lewis Carroll himself had migraines, so this may be a tale expressing what he was experiencing personally.

What is Alice In Wonderland Syndrome or AIWS?

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) is a rare and intriguing neurological condition, often linked to migraines. But, it can also be triggered by head trauma, and viral encephalitis caused by Epstein–Barr virus infection. Most commonly, AIWS is observed in children, though it can affect people of all ages.

How Does AIWS Present?

This syndrome is like a "hall of mirrors" for your senses, affecting vision, sensation, touch, and hearing. It can cause a distorted perception of:

• object sizes, including one's own body parts,
• depth or distances,
• colours (everything becomes one colour or loses colour).
• time,
• the speed of which an object is moving,
• and sound, amongst other things.

It can also result in:

• a perception of one being outside of their actual body,
• visual splitting where objects appear split down the middle,
• and hallucinations.

The hallmark of AIWS is a distortion in sensory perception, which includes visual, somatosensory, and non-visual symptoms. These episodes can vary in length, lasting from a few minutes to an hour, and the experience can be quite different for each person.

How is AIWS Diagnosed?

Diagnosing AIWS can be a challenge because it's not well-documented, and there is no established diagnostic criteria. It's often presumed when other possible causes are ruled out. The exact causes of AIWS remain elusive, but it's often associated with migraines, excessive screen use in dark spaces, and the use of psychoactive drugs. Epstein–Barr virus is a known cause in children, while migraines are more commonly associated with adults.

Prognosis

According to Liu (2014), the prognosis for AIWS varies from person to person, depending on whether an underlying cause can be identified. Symptoms can disappear on their own or with the treatment of underlying conditions. In some cases, they can persist and even develop into new visual disorders or migraines.

Treatment

Currently, there is no standardized treatment for AIWS (Toole 2017). When needed, the focus is on treating the suspected underlying disease, such as migraines, epilepsy, or viral infections. Antipsychotics are rarely used because they offer minimal effectiveness in managing AIWS symptoms. (Blom 2016)

Prevalence

The prevalence of AIWS remains uncertain due to the lack of established diagnostic criteria and awareness about the syndrome. However, studies suggest that it might not be as rare as we think, especially among adolescents. (Kazuhiko 1989)

Conclusions

In conclusion, the world of "Alice in Wonderland" might be more real than you think, and AIWS offers us a fascinating peek into the rabbit hole of altered perceptions and experiences. While it remains a mysterious and poorly understood condition, the connection between this syndrome and Lewis Carroll's classic tale adds an extra layer of intrigue to both the story and the condition itself.

If you are curious to learn more about migraines and their treatment options, check out our November 8, 2023, webinar on Embodia that is available for replay.