Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS)
Discussion
Yes, I am being serious. It's a real syndrome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_s...
It's something I had quite bad until about 21yo. Quite scary as a young child and try explaining to your mum and doctor why you get scared at night in bed! She never did understand.
I can only discribe it all your senses get exaggerated and sounds get mixed up. Also things "feel" different and your perception is all messed up, hence AIWS. My daughter and I call it "Thicky thiny".
It probably happens once a year nowadays and tbh I kind of miss it!
I never knew it was a recognised illness until today when I happened across it in The Sun.
The only good thing that's come out of it is I happened to mention it to my then 9yo and she just looked shocked and said "Dad, I get that too!"
She's learnt to control it now and isn't as scared.
We think my 3yo boy has it too but it's hard for us to get him to understand.
Anyone else?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_s...
It's something I had quite bad until about 21yo. Quite scary as a young child and try explaining to your mum and doctor why you get scared at night in bed! She never did understand.
I can only discribe it all your senses get exaggerated and sounds get mixed up. Also things "feel" different and your perception is all messed up, hence AIWS. My daughter and I call it "Thicky thiny".
It probably happens once a year nowadays and tbh I kind of miss it!
I never knew it was a recognised illness until today when I happened across it in The Sun.
The only good thing that's come out of it is I happened to mention it to my then 9yo and she just looked shocked and said "Dad, I get that too!"
She's learnt to control it now and isn't as scared.
We think my 3yo boy has it too but it's hard for us to get him to understand.
Anyone else?
Brilliant! I get that too but I really like it. I can sometimes still induce it on my own.
I have often thought these lyrics were referencing it
Hello,
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone home?
Come on
Now
I hear you're feeling down
I can ease your pain
Get you on your feet again
Relax
I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move
But I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like
Two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain
You would not understand
This is not how I am
I... Have become comfortably numb
O.K.
Just a little pin prick
There'll be no more aaaaaaaah!
But you may feel a little sick
Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working
Good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on
It's time to go
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move
But I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
I... Have become comfortably numb
I have often thought these lyrics were referencing it
Hello,
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me
Is there anyone home?
Come on
Now
I hear you're feeling down
I can ease your pain
Get you on your feet again
Relax
I'll need some information first
Just the basic facts
Can you show me where it hurts?
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move
But I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child I had a fever
My hands felt just like
Two balloons
Now I've got that feeling once again
I can't explain
You would not understand
This is not how I am
I... Have become comfortably numb
O.K.
Just a little pin prick
There'll be no more aaaaaaaah!
But you may feel a little sick
Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working
Good
That'll keep you going through the show
Come on
It's time to go
There is no pain you are receding
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon
You are only coming through in waves
Your lips move
But I can't hear what you're saying
When I was a child
I caught a fleeting glimpse
Out of the corner of my eye
I turned to look but it was gone
I cannot put my finger on it now
The child is grown
The dream is gone
I... Have become comfortably numb
Interesting to see that it's fairly common.
GTIR, I too only learned recently that it is an actual thing, which was quite a relief.
As a child, I had it reasonably frequently, generally when I was unwell. It had gone away by the time my age reached double figures. I do have vivid memories of it, though, and recall my difficulty in trying to explain to my parents what was happening.
Oddly it came up recently when my little bloke was getting scared at night. From his description of what he felt, I suspect it is the same thing.
In nearly 40 years of life trying to verbalise it's effect, I have to say that "thicky thiny" pretty much sums it up perfectly.
I all of a sudden have gone from feeling that I was an odd kid, to being a member of a rather exclusive club!
GTIR, I too only learned recently that it is an actual thing, which was quite a relief.
As a child, I had it reasonably frequently, generally when I was unwell. It had gone away by the time my age reached double figures. I do have vivid memories of it, though, and recall my difficulty in trying to explain to my parents what was happening.
Oddly it came up recently when my little bloke was getting scared at night. From his description of what he felt, I suspect it is the same thing.
In nearly 40 years of life trying to verbalise it's effect, I have to say that "thicky thiny" pretty much sums it up perfectly.
I all of a sudden have gone from feeling that I was an odd kid, to being a member of a rather exclusive club!
Edited by Makila2A on Thursday 5th September 15:16
Yeah. Our own little "Thicky thiny club"!
I recently had an episode. Just noises and "that feeling" but it soon disappeared and I was like "No!, no! come back. Come back...ahh bugger."
Even now it's hard to remember the feelings and explain it or put it in writing.
I had a similar experience whilst in Thailand but that involved my first foray into smoking a bong with some Australians!
I recently had an episode. Just noises and "that feeling" but it soon disappeared and I was like "No!, no! come back. Come back...ahh bugger."
Even now it's hard to remember the feelings and explain it or put it in writing.
I had a similar experience whilst in Thailand but that involved my first foray into smoking a bong with some Australians!
Funny, I've had a occasional episodes as an adult post-uni. Since trying many different drugs, I rather enjoy the feeling of sinking inward and everything becoming big. It's kind of like a hard trip.
If only I'd been allowed to try drugs as a kid, I wouldn't have spent years dreading going to bed. I blame the government.
If only I'd been allowed to try drugs as a kid, I wouldn't have spent years dreading going to bed. I blame the government.
GTIR said:
Yes, I am being serious. It's a real syndrome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_s...
It's something I had quite bad until about 21yo. Quite scary as a young child and try explaining to your mum and doctor why you get scared at night in bed! She never did understand.
I can only discribe it all your senses get exaggerated and sounds get mixed up. Also things "feel" different and your perception is all messed up, hence AIWS. My daughter and I call it "Thicky thiny".
It probably happens once a year nowadays and tbh I kind of miss it!
I never knew it was a recognised illness until today when I happened across it in The Sun.
The only good thing that's come out of it is I happened to mention it to my then 9yo and she just looked shocked and said "Dad, I get that too!"
She's learnt to control it now and isn't as scared.
We think my 3yo boy has it too but it's hard for us to get him to understand.
Anyone else?
seriously, I used to get this as a child.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_s...
It's something I had quite bad until about 21yo. Quite scary as a young child and try explaining to your mum and doctor why you get scared at night in bed! She never did understand.
I can only discribe it all your senses get exaggerated and sounds get mixed up. Also things "feel" different and your perception is all messed up, hence AIWS. My daughter and I call it "Thicky thiny".
It probably happens once a year nowadays and tbh I kind of miss it!
I never knew it was a recognised illness until today when I happened across it in The Sun.
The only good thing that's come out of it is I happened to mention it to my then 9yo and she just looked shocked and said "Dad, I get that too!"
She's learnt to control it now and isn't as scared.
We think my 3yo boy has it too but it's hard for us to get him to understand.
Anyone else?
Was caused by staying up until stupid-o-lock in the morning reading books. yes really. I'd read for hours upon hours on end at night. After abour 5 hours of reading my mind would kind of distort, I would feel tiny in the room, then it would switch to feel massive in a tiny room. It would take me 10 mins to get rid of it at which point I would usually decide to finally get some sleep
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