![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_665fff2b979a9.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18e048102b.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18e00d03a3.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18e0144186.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18e0d1ced3.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18e0557c72.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18e006fcc8.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18de3852fe.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18de4c24b3.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18de435751.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18de5ac7f2.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18ddeec1a0.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18ddeaed20.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18de0c5304.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dddd2e88.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dddf3cfc.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dde1851d.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dd77da38.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dd2e5401.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dd2312d7.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dd13d27e.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dcdedb19.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dcf6b130.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dd043584.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dc218eff.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dc260104.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dc81c6cb.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dc5dadaa.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dc826e16.jpg)
![Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/gallery/1080/na_65f18dc333cde.jpg)
See Also
See Again
© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
Alice in Wonderland syndrome
- Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a rare neurological condition that temporarily disrupts the brain’s ability to process sensory input and affects how it perceives things. This includes distortion about the size of things, one’s own body, and other elements of reality.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
The origins of the name
- The condition was named by English psychiatrist John Todd in 1955, after Lewis Carroll’s 1865 book ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’ This is because those who suffer from the condition experience similar situations to those experienced by the book’s main character, Alice.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Who does it affect?
- The syndrome can affect people of any age, but it’s more common in children and adolescents. People with certain brain-related conditions are also more likely to suffer from AIWS.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
How common is AIWS?
- Alice in Wonderland syndrome is rare. The condition seems to be mostly temporary, which makes research more difficult to collect. Plus, there is no overall accepted criteria for AIWS, which can make diagnosis difficult.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
How does AIWS manifest?
- The way AIWS manifests can be divided into three categories. One is through disturbances in self-perception. This is when people have an incorrect perception of their own body, with regards to size and feel. This can affect the whole body, or just specific body parts.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
How does AIWS manifest?
- Another way AIWS manifests is through disturbances in visual processing. This is how people’s brains process the things they see. This is the most common way AIWS affects people.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
How does AIWS manifest?
- A combination of both can also occur, in which case people will experience problems with self-perception and visual processing. Now, let’s take a look at the symptoms of both self-perception and visual perception.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- The main symptom is when a person experiences changes in the perception of their own body. For example, a part of the body can feel too big (partial macrosomatognosia) or too small (partial microsomatognosia).
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- The entire body may also feel too tall (total macrosomatognosia) or too short (total microsomatognosia).
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- Derealization may also occur. This is a form of dissociation where people feel disconnected from the world around them.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- Depersonalization, another type of dissociation, can also be a symptom. This is when the person feels disconnected from their own body and mind, as if experiencing one's own life in third person.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- Somatopsychic duality, or the feeling of having the body divided in two, can also occur.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- As can a disruption in the sense of time, where people report time either slowing down or speeding up.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Visual perception symptoms
- Visual perception symptoms are the most common ones in people with AIWS. One of the most recurrent is perceived changes in the size of objects. These may appear larger (macropsia) or smaller (micropsia) than they really are.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Visual perception symptoms
- Another common visual perception symptom is changes in distance. This is when objects appear to be closer (pelopsia) or farther away (teleopsia) than they are.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Visual perception symptoms
- Changes in both size and distance can also occur. An example would be objects that seem smaller and appear to be moving farther away (porropsia).
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Visual perception symptoms
- People may also appear smaller than they actually are. This is also known as lilliputian hallucination, a reference to the small residents of Lilliput in Jonathan Swift’s novel ‘Gulliver’s Travels.’
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Visual perception symptoms
- Another visual perception syndrome is changes in object appearance. This is when there are perceived distortions in objects and lines (which may seem wavy).
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- The root causes of Alice in Wonderland syndrome remain unknown, but one thing we know is that migraines are one of the most common triggers. This is especially true in the presence of a migraine aura. Other types of headaches may also trigger the syndrome.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- Viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), type A or H1N1 influenza, varicella (chickenpox and shingles), typhoid fever, scarlet fever, and Lyme disease, are the most prominent causes of AIWS in children.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- People who suffer from conditions that cause seizures (e.g. epilepsy) can also experience AIWS.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- Sudden loss of blood supply to the brain, which can happen with strokes, is also a possible trigger. So are brain tumors.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- Some mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and depressive disorders, can trigger AIWS.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- Certain medications (e.g. dextromethorphan, dihydrocodeine, and topiramate), as well as recreational drugs (especially hallucinogens), have been linked to episodes of AIWS.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Recent developments
- Researchers are one step closer to understanding the roots of AIWS. In 2024, scientists conducted a lesion network mapping, where they compared brain scans of people with AIWS to scans from healthy people. They found that over 85% of those with AIWS had lesions affecting two areas of the brain, namely the one responsible for visual processing and the one used to judge size.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Diagnosis
- While there is no formally established criteria to diagnose the syndrome, health providers may conduct certain tests, even if to rule out other conditions. These may include imaging tests (e.g. CT scan, MRI, etc.).
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Diagnosis
- Other tests may include an EEG (electroencephalogram) to check the electrical activity of the brain.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Diagnosis
- Visual evoked potentials can also be conducted. The test analyzes the signals the eyes send to the brain.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Treatment
- There is no treatment (or cure, as such) for AIWS, other than managing the symptoms. Sources: (Medical News Today) (Cleveland Clinic) (IFLScience) (medRxiv)
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
Alice in Wonderland syndrome
- Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a rare neurological condition that temporarily disrupts the brain’s ability to process sensory input and affects how it perceives things. This includes distortion about the size of things, one’s own body, and other elements of reality.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
The origins of the name
- The condition was named by English psychiatrist John Todd in 1955, after Lewis Carroll’s 1865 book ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.’ This is because those who suffer from the condition experience similar situations to those experienced by the book’s main character, Alice.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Who does it affect?
- The syndrome can affect people of any age, but it’s more common in children and adolescents. People with certain brain-related conditions are also more likely to suffer from AIWS.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
How common is AIWS?
- Alice in Wonderland syndrome is rare. The condition seems to be mostly temporary, which makes research more difficult to collect. Plus, there is no overall accepted criteria for AIWS, which can make diagnosis difficult.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
How does AIWS manifest?
- The way AIWS manifests can be divided into three categories. One is through disturbances in self-perception. This is when people have an incorrect perception of their own body, with regards to size and feel. This can affect the whole body, or just specific body parts.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
How does AIWS manifest?
- Another way AIWS manifests is through disturbances in visual processing. This is how people’s brains process the things they see. This is the most common way AIWS affects people.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
How does AIWS manifest?
- A combination of both can also occur, in which case people will experience problems with self-perception and visual processing. Now, let’s take a look at the symptoms of both self-perception and visual perception.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- The main symptom is when a person experiences changes in the perception of their own body. For example, a part of the body can feel too big (partial macrosomatognosia) or too small (partial microsomatognosia).
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- The entire body may also feel too tall (total macrosomatognosia) or too short (total microsomatognosia).
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- Derealization may also occur. This is a form of dissociation where people feel disconnected from the world around them.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- Depersonalization, another type of dissociation, can also be a symptom. This is when the person feels disconnected from their own body and mind, as if experiencing one's own life in third person.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- Somatopsychic duality, or the feeling of having the body divided in two, can also occur.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Self-perception symptoms
- As can a disruption in the sense of time, where people report time either slowing down or speeding up.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Visual perception symptoms
- Visual perception symptoms are the most common ones in people with AIWS. One of the most recurrent is perceived changes in the size of objects. These may appear larger (macropsia) or smaller (micropsia) than they really are.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Visual perception symptoms
- Another common visual perception symptom is changes in distance. This is when objects appear to be closer (pelopsia) or farther away (teleopsia) than they are.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Visual perception symptoms
- Changes in both size and distance can also occur. An example would be objects that seem smaller and appear to be moving farther away (porropsia).
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Visual perception symptoms
- People may also appear smaller than they actually are. This is also known as lilliputian hallucination, a reference to the small residents of Lilliput in Jonathan Swift’s novel ‘Gulliver’s Travels.’
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Visual perception symptoms
- Another visual perception syndrome is changes in object appearance. This is when there are perceived distortions in objects and lines (which may seem wavy).
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- The root causes of Alice in Wonderland syndrome remain unknown, but one thing we know is that migraines are one of the most common triggers. This is especially true in the presence of a migraine aura. Other types of headaches may also trigger the syndrome.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- Viral infections, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), type A or H1N1 influenza, varicella (chickenpox and shingles), typhoid fever, scarlet fever, and Lyme disease, are the most prominent causes of AIWS in children.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- People who suffer from conditions that cause seizures (e.g. epilepsy) can also experience AIWS.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- Sudden loss of blood supply to the brain, which can happen with strokes, is also a possible trigger. So are brain tumors.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- Some mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and depressive disorders, can trigger AIWS.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Causes
- Certain medications (e.g. dextromethorphan, dihydrocodeine, and topiramate), as well as recreational drugs (especially hallucinogens), have been linked to episodes of AIWS.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Recent developments
- Researchers are one step closer to understanding the roots of AIWS. In 2024, scientists conducted a lesion network mapping, where they compared brain scans of people with AIWS to scans from healthy people. They found that over 85% of those with AIWS had lesions affecting two areas of the brain, namely the one responsible for visual processing and the one used to judge size.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Diagnosis
- While there is no formally established criteria to diagnose the syndrome, health providers may conduct certain tests, even if to rule out other conditions. These may include imaging tests (e.g. CT scan, MRI, etc.).
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Diagnosis
- Other tests may include an EEG (electroencephalogram) to check the electrical activity of the brain.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Diagnosis
- Visual evoked potentials can also be conducted. The test analyzes the signals the eyes send to the brain.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Treatment
- There is no treatment (or cure, as such) for AIWS, other than managing the symptoms. Sources: (Medical News Today) (Cleveland Clinic) (IFLScience) (medRxiv)
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
Alice in Wonderland syndrome is actually a real neurological condition
What we know about this mysterious syndrome
© Getty Images
Alice in Wonderland syndrome may sound like a made-up condition, but, even though it's very rare, it is a real syndrome and it does affect certain individuals. The syndrome manifests through either (or both) self-perception and visual processing. This essentially means that the brains of those with the syndrome suffer disruptions that lead to an altered perception of themselves and the outside world. These perceptions are often of size and distance.
Intrigued? In this gallery, you'll get to know all about Alice in Wonderland syndrome. Click on for more.
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
![The impact of environmental factors on your health](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669fa27ce5774.jpg)
![Holistic health: what it is, and how it will change your life](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66a2495b4b5d2.jpg)
![The Nipah virus outbreak: should you be worried?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66a25dfb64c17.jpg)
![Age-specific tips for better sleep](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66a216e1b5386.jpg)
![Surprising foods you didn't know contain nicotine](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669fc478b911f.jpg)
![Are liposomal supplements really better?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669a6a9b3acea.jpg)
![Why hiking is uniquely beneficial for your body and brain](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669511f50f736.jpg)
![Should you practice tai chi? The benefits, and how to start](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_663b3c5177490.jpg)
![All you need to know about agoraphobia and how to cope](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_663ccb1cbfed9.jpg)
![What happens when you stop drinking alcohol?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669fb1a81b527.jpg)
![15 seemingly harmless habits that can damage your brain](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669fb0174fef7.jpg)
![The signs and symptoms of Long COVID](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66336dbd2ad23.jpg)
![Everything you need to know about multiple sclerosis](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669939a625688.jpg)
![Gastritis: causes, symptoms, and treatment](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6662072f56cd4.jpg)
![Baby skin care: tips for your newborn](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669e69064adcc.jpg)
![Listeria infection: what to know, and how to prevent it](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_667e8a8722b65.jpg)
![Performance anxiety: what is it and how to conquer it](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6696b48acff1b.jpg)
![Easy daily habits for a faster metabolism](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669a7b606e342.jpg)
![Can you reverse type 2 diabetes?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6697d31f58245.jpg)
![The most common infectious diseases in the US](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669a0564b69b2.jpg)
![These vitamins can be dangerous to you](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66992ddf74ff0.jpg)
![Overpronation: what is it, and how can it be managed?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6694c950db13f.jpg)
![Early signs of young onset dementia](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_66842a867d8bb.jpg)
![How endless scrolling through social media can make you sick (literally)](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_656865c160e4e.jpg)
![Unexpected areas you can get skin cancer](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6696507e3d7b6.jpg)
![Common overlooked signs of depression](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668fd4f3353f2.jpg)
![What you need to know about persistent sore throat](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668e524e64127.jpg)
![Eat these foods if you want to lower your blood pressure](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668fba0b5cb65.jpg)
![These are the worst things you could do for your eyes](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_669003d10c810.jpg)
![Tight jaw: causes and tips to relieve tension](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668d5df9d6bad.jpg)
![Earthing: a natural way to ground your body](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668d78cce010f.jpg)
![Your all-inclusive guide to a balanced diet](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668bfc0033045.jpg)
![Shortness of breath: anxiety, or something more sinister?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_6687baabd16b1.jpg)
![Are eating disorders on the rise with young men and boys?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668d15e9db26d.jpg)
![Sleep troubles? You may have a dyssomnia](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668bb36159e36.jpg)
![What happens to your body if you only do cardio?](https://media-manager.starsinsider.com/640/na_668bb29449a9b.jpg)
MOST READ
- Last Hour
- Last Day
- Last Week
-
1
CELEBRITY Relationships
-
2
LIFESTYLE Nature
-
3
LIFESTYLE Curiosities
-
4
TRAVEL Staycation
Be a tourist in your own city and fall in love all over again
-
5
HEALTH Covid-19
-
6
HEALTH Cognitive function
-
7
LIFESTYLE Bizarre
You won't believe these bizarre prison rules and regulations
-
8
HEALTH Bad habits
-
9
TRAVEL Destinations
-
10
TRAVEL Architecture