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Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is a syndrome which causes one to view their body parts as disproportional and misconstrued, as well as their surroundings. 

A misconstrued body image is the primary sign of the Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. The person will incorrectly judge and view their body, usually seeing things like their head and hands being enlarged and continually getting larger. Often, patients will view the size of other objects incorrectly as well, and feel as though a room is expanding or shrinking. Other than the body and spacial dysmorphia, someone with Alice in Wonderland Syndrome will often experience fierce and debilitating migraines. 

Most cases of Alice in Wonderland Syndrome feature patients with repetitive migraines, or those with brain tumors. AIWS is most commonly seen in children with the prior, very severe migraines, and it can have severe effects on their awareness of things like time, and reality. Although these symptoms might seem extremely severe and scary, a large percent of the population has experienced effects of this disease due to its surprising normalcy. In fact, it is estimated to be seen in about 10-20% of the population as  the syndrome is believed to reveal symptoms several throughout the lives of most affected individuals. 

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome is particularly prevalent in young children, which presents a possible reason why many cases are not recorded and many children remain undiagnosed. Kids are less likely to know that the sensation is not normal to experience, and those with less severe symptoms most of the time will not be aware that they experienced anything out of the ordinary.

 AIWS is hereditary, so if others in one’s family have experienced it in the past that person would be more likely to as well, but having things like chronic migraines and brain tumors can cause the syndrome to develop much more quickly and manifest extreme symptoms. There is no solidified treatment for Alice in Wonderland Syndrome. If the patient is experiencing the syndrome in response to another factor, such as migraines, the most effective response would be working towards stopping the migraines.

 As the syndrome is most seen in children, most of the time if the symptoms aren’t very severe the best option may be to simply let the child grow out of it, as this happens almost all of the time when children experience the syndrome.

 Something that loved ones must know is that when children are experiencing an attack where they feel like the room is closing in on them, or their body is becoming enlarged or distorted, the best thing you can do is reassure them that it will pass, and make them feel as comfortable as possible. As the disease affects one’s senses, they may need additional support moving and getting around when going through an attack as their vision and mobility can be compromised as their perspective about their surroundings will differ greatly from reality.