The Brain Charity

Alice in Wonderland Syndrome

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Name	Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS)
Related to/Also known as	Migraine Migraine aura
Symptoms of AIWS	"[Migraine aura may] be accompanied by apparent flashing lights, by geometric shapes, or by unusual forms. Some migraineurs may experience unusual perceptions or hallucinations and a very rare form of aura known as "Alice in Wonderland" syndrome. This syndrome is identified by the perceptions of the sufferer; their body or other peoples’ bodies look distorted, so that things appear larger or smaller than usual, or further or closer away (“macropsia / micropsia”)." Source: Migraine Action
Useful national contacts	The Migraine Trust (Migraine Action has merged with the Migraine Trust) Tel: 020 7631 6970 www.migrainetrust.org
Online AIWS resources	What is migraine aura? (Migraine Action PDF, NHS website) https://tinyurl.com/ych6cvxd The Alice in Wonderland syndrome (PubMed) www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10767914 "I have Alice in Wonderland syndrome" (The Guardian newspaper, 2008) https://tinyurl.com/y9neb3fg
OurAIWS resources	The library at the Brain Charity has a range of resources on Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS) and on a wide range of disability related issues. Visit our library to read our copy of the Brain and Spine Foundation's booklet on Migraine, which includes information on Migraine Aura.

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