Who doesn't know the story of Alice in Wonderland? In this legendary tale, body Alice turned so small, then becomesvery large. Phenomenon the turns out it can also happen in the real world, you know. This condition is called Alice in Wonderland syndrome.
Alice in Wonderland syndrome, also known as Todd syndrome or dysmetropsia, is a condition that causes altered perception and disorientation.
Patients with this syndrome may suddenly feel their body or body parts become smaller or larger, or feel that an object is very far or very close, when in fact it is not.
Not only vision, Alice in Wonderland syndrome can also affect the perception of time. Sufferers may feel that time is running faster or slower than normal.
Various Causes of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
The exact cause of Alice in Wonderland syndrome is still unknown. However, this syndrome is thought to be associated with the following conditions:
- Headaches, such as migraines, cluster headaches, or tension headaches.
- Disorders of the brain, such as a stroke or brain tumor.
- Infectious diseases, such as mononucleosis or herpes simplex.
- Stress.
- Psychiatric disorders, such as depression and schizophrenia.
- Epilepsy.
- Side effects of drugs.
Of the various causes above, migraine is believed to be the most common cause of Alice in Wonderland syndrome in adults. While in children, this condition is often caused by infectious diseases.
The conditions above can cause disturbances in blood flow in the part of the brain that plays a role in processing one's perception of seeing the surrounding environment.
Symptoms of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
Symptoms of Alice in Wonderland syndrome can be different for each patient. Generally, symptoms last from a few minutes to several hours, and can recur. Some of the symptoms that can be felt by people with Alice in Wonderland syndrome are:
- Body parts or objects around them appear larger, smaller, farther, or closer than they really are.
- Straight lines look bent or wavy.
- An object that is at rest appears to be moving.
- Three-dimensional objects appear flat.
- Colors look lighter.
- Time goes faster or slower than it should.
- Often hear strange or noisy sounds that are not understood where they are coming from.
In addition to the above symptoms, less typical symptoms may also appear, such as nausea, restlessness, and dizziness.
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome Treatment and Prevention Steps
Until now, there is no examination that can definitively diagnose Alice in Wonderland syndrome. However, the doctor will conduct an examination to determine the possibility of other diseases with similar symptoms. Some of the tests that can be done are blood tests, MRI, and EEG.
Alice in Wonderland syndrome generally doesn't require special treatment and gets better on its own. However, treating the suspected condition causing Alice in Wonderland syndrome can prevent symptoms from reappearing.
Because Alice in Wonderland syndrome is often caused by migraines, reducing the occurrence of migraine attacks can also prevent this syndrome from occurring by:
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables.
- Eat in small portions, but often (5-6 times per day).
- Reduce consumption of processed foods, foods that contain lots of flavoring (MSG), and drinks that contain artificial sweeteners.
- Limit consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Doing meditation and relaxation therapy to control stress.
Although harmless, Alice in Wonderland syndrome can cause disorientation and interfere with daily activities. If you experience the above symptoms, immediately consult a neurologist so that appropriate treatment can be given.
Written by:
dr. Andi Marsa Nadhira
