Medical research is often focused on pinpointing the causes of or triggers for certain diseases and disorders in order to determine the best course of treatment. Although medicine asserts the distinction between fantasy and reality, there are many conditions that, to this day, neither physicians nor researchers can scientifically explain. One such condition, Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, involves hallucinations similar to the ones Alice had in the famous novel with the same name.
Although the cause of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is unknown, the condition typically accompanies episodes of migraines. Affected individuals report feeling that different parts of their body are disproportionate in size and proximity and that their overall surroundings are “warped.” Specifically, these patients perceive objects as larger or smaller than they really are, thereby earning the syndrome its characteristic name. Other instances of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome have been recorded in cases of epilepsy, depression, schizophrenia, and stroke.
Image Source: Photography by Emma Sutcliffe
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome typically manifests in children. A study conducted by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia looked for trends in data from a sample set of 48 children who were affected by the syndrome. The children most commonly suffered from micropsia and teleopsia, visual perception disorders, during episodes of the syndrome. Later in life, more than a fourth of these children still claimed, at times, to experience some of these symptoms. Although no explicit genetic link has been documented, in almost fifty percent of cases, there is family history of the syndrome.
Since Alice in Wonderland Syndrome usually occurs concurrently with migraines, doctors suggest courses of treatment that reduce the frequency of migraines. Depending on the case, a physician may prescribe antidepressants, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or anti-seizure medications. Some doctors also recommend a more healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.
Research into conditions such as Alice in Wonderland Syndrome has led many scientists down the rabbit hole. To this day, researchers still face the challenge of determining what exactly causes the syndrome. A recent study found that in a large pool of documented cases, 22.9% of patients experienced the syndrome only after contracting an infectious disease. On the other hand, 30.7% of patients were diagnosed with Alice in Wonderland Syndrome in conjunction with paroxysmal neurological disorders, including migraines. While there may not be a single trigger of the syndrome, increasing awareness of its effects may provide greater support for current efforts to devise better modes of treatment for individuals around the world.
Featured Image Source: Alice in Wonderland Syndrome by Chrissy Arrivillaga
