Alice in Wonderland syndrome

When Alice - in-Wonderland syndrome a syndrome referred to perceive with the man himself or changed their environment hallucinatory manner. The phenomenon is not considered a separate disease, but usually occurs as a side effect of a migraine attack or a harbinger of an epileptic seizure in the form of an aura with distinct visual perceptual disorders. An Alice - in-Wonderland syndrome can also be caused by the Epstein -Barr virus or drugs.

Term origin

The term "Alice - in-Wonderland syndrome " was named after the children's book Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll and coined by John Todd as a possible, but not essential concomitant of migraine and epilepsy. Carroll himself suffered from migraines, it is believed that his experience with the suffering as inspiration for the halluzinationsähnlichen effects described in his work served. Moreover, Carroll's novel was discussed as a description of a trip to consumption of mind-altering drugs. In one of the most famous sequences of the book Alice changes its size by biting off pieces from different sides of a mushroom.

Symptoms and complaints

The Alice - in-Wonderland syndrome leads to changes in the perception of one's environment. These changes include both micropsia and macropsia ( everything appears increased or decreased), as well as changes in acoustic perception, altered tactile sensations and altered sense of time.

The syndrome is especially commonly found in children. A migraine attack to be mostly in children, unlike adults. You will hear a sudden with the above activities carried on, retire or express the desire to sleep, and exhibit symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, unlike adults often sided headache, light, smell and sound sensitivity, vertigo, pallor, confusion, fatigue, and severe abdominal pain.

The attacks are often shorter and can also be completely pain-free, but the accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, light and noise sensitivity are more pronounced. This can lead to neurological deficits, so that the affected child begins to hallucinate. It takes its body as greater than or less true and / or begins to "see fantastic pictures ."

Consequences and complications

The changes in perception may affect those affected greatly, so that he becomes disoriented and " impossible to find place ." In extreme cases it can lead to falls and other accidents. The perception disturbances can cause the Alice - in-Wonderland syndrome confused with other mental disorders or is misinterpreted as " madness " and that the child is excluded or teased.

Treatment

The focus is on treating the underlying disease, such as the symptomatic treatment of migraine.