Saturday, February 10, 2007

Alice-in-Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS)


Alice-in-Wonderland Syndrome is so named, because patients afflicted with this disorder perceive themselves and their surroundings as distorted. Body shapes, buildings, and even time seems surreal. Hands, heads and legs may appear to be growing, or “morphing” into odd shapes to these patients. Patients may report they feel like they are walking on a treadmill, or walking on sponges. Perspectives and distances are seen as longer or shorter than they are. Often seen in children, this mental illness can be seen in adults as well.

AIWS is beleived to be triggered by epilepsy, migraine headaches, or even the “mono” virus-Epstein-Barr; all of which can cause irritations or dysfunction of brain neurons.




Photo courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos

http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/displayimage.php?album=10&pos=2

For more information, visit:

The Register

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/01/the_odd_body_aws/



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