Alice in wonderland syndrome (AWIS)

[bongtom]

Anyone else had this?

I had it from very young to about late 20s. Very scary as a kid. I tried to explain it to my mum but she just thought I was having a bad dream.

Sounds sounded different (it was only until I tried some very strong weed in Thailand that I experienced something similar. No, I don’t smoke weed now!) like an orchestra.
Same for feel. Things felt bigger or looked bigger. Very odd.

Anyhoo. About 10 years ago I mentioned it to my 12yo daughter and it was like a wow moment for her. So it seems it’s hereditary.

Apparently Lewis Carol suffered from it…

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderlan...

[jimmyjimjim]

Blimey, I certainly didn't expect all those symptoms when I googled it.

[mcelliott]

Yeah had as a kid, was kinda weird.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

bongtom said:

...(it was only until I tried some very strong weed in Thailand that I experienced something similar. No, I don’t smoke weed now!)

Username checks out then

Yep, I've had this a few times in the past, very rarely now though but more frequently when I was younger. Interesting to put a name and more details to it, so thanks. I'm 32 now so hopefully I've 'grown out of it'.

I could never pinpoint what triggers it, e.g. caffeine before bed, being very tired, watching loads of TV before bed, room too hot etc. but it's an odd sensation but not one I'd describe as unpleasant and haunting. I've only ever had it laying in a dim (not completely dark) room where some of the furniture, windows, wallpaper is still just about visible in the ambient light. The room appears huge and objects seem very far away from me laying in the bed. The harder I concentrate on an object, the further it seems to move away and distort. My ears start ringing as well I think, so that'll be the sound distortion described in that article. No, I hadn't been smoking weed and I never suffer from headaches or migraines or have ever felt depressed or anxious about anything.

The only way I could 'snap' out of it was by very actively getting up, go into the bathroom for a couple of minutes or downstairs with some bright lights on and perhaps read a couple of pages of a book or magazine or even stand in the garden for a minute or two. Basically doing something very active for my brain.

[bongtom]

That’s exactly how it was for me plus the sounds were odd and it’s also how I got out of the “moment”. Just basically ignoring it.

I think as a child you tend withdraw into that world as your brain hasn’t developed any complexities or ways to steer you out, if that makes sense.

It’s funny. In a way I kind of miss it. I had a near episode about 15 years ago. I could feel it happening and even tried to make it happen but it just faded away! I was disappointed! (But it did lead into the conversation with my daughter. Which was good for her).

[Bill]

mcelliott said:

Yeah had as a kid, was kinda weird.

+1 I assumed it was normal and quite enjoyed it so I would try to bring it on.

[bongtom]

Bill said:

mcelliott said:

Yeah had as a kid, was kinda weird.

+1 I assumed it was normal and quite enjoyed it so I would try to bring it on.

Two questions.
How old are you now.
How old was your last episode.

[Koyaanisqatsi]

It's by no means an unpleasant and scary experience though, as others agree. The most annoying aspect is not being able to fall asleep while it's happening! I'm convinced I've grown out of it now.

[Bill]

bongtom said:

Two questions.
How old are you now.
How old was your last episode.

52
No idea, early/mid teens possibly.