Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a rare condition that can cause a person to experience distorted perceptions of time, space, and their own body. It’s named after the Lewis Carroll book, in which the main character, Alice, has similar experiences. The condition is most often seen in children, but can also occur in adults.
AIWS is thought to be caused by migraines, seizures, or other neurological conditions. It has been linked to head trauma and brain tumors as well as viral infections like herpes simplex virus.
Symptoms of AIWS include: feeling like you’re floating or moving very slowly (a common perception among people with the disorder); seeing things get bigger when you look at them up close (known as macropsia) or smaller when they’re farther away (micropsia).
People with AIWS may also experience body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), which causes them to perceive their own bodies as being distorted. This can lead them to feel anxious about their appearance and seek plastic surgery treatment for imagined defects.
People with AIWS have no control over their altered perceptions. The condition can be extremely disorienting and may cause anxiety or fear.
There’s no cure for AIWS, but symptoms can be managed with medication or therapy.
The condition is rare, and its exact prevalence is unknown. One study found it in 1% of the general population, but other studies have shown a lower rate of occurrence.
Alice in Wonderland syndrome is not the same as the much more common Alice in Wonderland syndrome, which is a psychiatric condition characterized by distorted perceptions of reality.
