Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS), also known as Todd’s syndrome or dysmetropsia, is a rare neurological disorder that causes people to experience distortions in their perception of their own body or the world around them. These distortions can affect vision, touch, hearing, and the sense of time.
Some of the most common symptoms of AIWS include:
Micropsia: The perception that objects are smaller than they actually are.
*Macropsia: The perception that objects are larger than they actually are.
*Teleopsia: The perception that objects are farther away than they actually are.
*Pelopsia: The perception that objects are closer than they actually are.
*Depersonalisation: The feeling of being detached from one’s own body or surroundings.
*Derealisation: The feeling that the world around one is not real.
*Changes in the perception of time.
AIWS episodes can last for a few minutes to several hours, and they can occur frequently or rarely. The condition is often triggered by migraine headaches, fever, ear infections, or certain drugs. In some cases, the cause of AIWS is unknown.
There is no specific treatment for AIWS, but most episodes go away on their own. In some cases, anti-migraine medications or other drugs may be helpful. If AIWS is caused by an underlying medical condition, treating that condition may also help to relieve the symptoms of AIWS.
AIWS is a generally harmless condition, but it can be a very disturbing experience for those who suffer from it.