Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a neurological condition in which a person’s perception of reality is distorted. This condition is named after Lewis Carroll’s book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” because Alice, the main character in the book, often experiences changes in her body size and shape and her perception of reality.
An example of AIWS is when a person perceives objects or body parts as being much larger or smaller than they actually are. For instance, the person might perceive their hands or feet as being giant-sized or their surroundings as being very small. They may also experience distortions in time perception, where time appears to move faster or slower than usual.
Other symptoms of AIWS can include:
- Micropsia (perceiving objects as smaller than they are)
- Macropsia (perceiving objects as larger than they are)
- Teleopsia (perceiving distant objects as if they are nearby)
- Pelopsia (perceiving nearby objects as if they are distant)
- Dysmetropsia (perceiving objects as different sizes in different parts of the visual field)
It’s important to note that while AIWS can be a symptom of certain medical conditions, such as migraines or epilepsy, it can also occur in individuals with no underlying medical issues. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of AIWS, it’s important to seek medical attention to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
