Alice in Wonderland Syndrome - or 'Everything Looks Far Away' - Any Experiences?

I never knew this had a name! I had it as a kid...although I described it as everything getting really small as opposed to far away. Sounds like the same thing though. My mom said it would happen when I got overly tired. I never went to the doc and I eventually outgrew it.

Go ahead and talk to the doctor now -- you said these "episodes" are increasing and moving from nighttime-only to daytime as well, so I'd see the doctor sooner rather than later. A lot of moms on here say "I don't want to go to the pediatrician over this in case it's nothing" -- like they don't want to be embarrassed if the doctor says something's no big deal -- but this is your kid's health, and your gut is telling you he's anxious and stressed. Let the doctor do what you pay him or her to do and help you through this.

Meanwhile, find ways to alleviate the stress even though it's "fun" stress and increase his down time this summer as much as possible, maybe. Think through whether the episodes happen at certain times of day (before a meal, when his blood sugar's low? Right after swim practice when he's terribly tired? etc.) so you can relate that to the doctor too.

I had visions like that when I was about 5-8 and have had it very rarely since. I remember watching my kindergarten teacher tell a story and I would sort of get in this trance where she would seem farther and farther away, almost to the point where I felt I was watching the whole scene from a corner of the room by the ceiling, or even further away. I remember them as very soothing wonderful experiences. Perhaps you can explain to her that they happen when she is very focused on something, it is just a way of your brain shutting out all other senses and totally enjoying the the experience you are in - at least it was for me.

I'm sorry you and your son are going through this....I would visit the pediatrician and ensure nothing else is wrong....it could be an anxiety attack? and how his body and brain handle it?

I hope you get an answer!!~ Sorry I'm not much help...still trying to figure out what causes my 9 year old right eye to hurt.

It does sound like anxiety.

I get that every now and then and I'm 30. Don't know why. I would think though, ,that if it is causing further anxiety or panic attacks, to go ahead and ask the Dr. what can be done to help him cope. I think maybe just shutting his eyes for a moment, maybe deep breathing and counting to ten could help him snap back into reality.

Hi,

I suffered with exactly this as a child, and every now and then I have a little episode still and I'm now 26. It started at night with me as it did your son. Then every now and then it would occur during the day. It certainly wasn't a soothing experience like other responses have suggested here, I think they may be talking about something different to be honest...

I found it very distressing. As I got older they definately got less frequent and I could count on 1 hand how many times its occurred in my ''adult life''.
What I have found though - I think it's related to body temperature, don't ask me for proof, I don't have any. But have found that splashing cold water on my face or applying a cold flannel or cloth to the back of my neck helped me snap out of it quicker. I don't really think you are fully awake when it occurs. I used to call them my ''nightmares'', they weren't nightmares at all, but I think its a mild form of panic attack triggered by tirdness/being kind of half awake and a temperature. However, I really don't think you need to worry too much. Try the cold water and I'm sure you'll find he snaps out of it quicker and I'm sure he'll grow out of it eventually.

I have had this occasionally since I was a child, always when I am laying in bed. I see it as an almost "out of body" experience, like the stage just before the one person described as floating up toward the ceiling into the corner of the room (I've had that too, but only once or twice). I too found it soothing as a child and have also had it once or twice as an adult. According to my husband, there is a lot of documented literature on this sensation. I doubt it is anything to worry about, but since it scares your son, it can't hurt to discuss it with his doctor.

It's good that I am not the only one.

I have had this type of episodes as well. Sometimes it happens for no apparent reason, but other times when I focus too much on a person's face. I think it is the size and complexion of the skin that triggers it (for me).

The way I experience it... I see everything in the same clarity, but everything else looks far and small. I had episodes even before I lost my 20/20 vision. My optometrist brushed it off like nothing without providing me an explanation - it really seemed like he didn't know anything about it.

So.. I have had this since I was a kid. I never pay attention to it anymore because my vision goes back to normal after a few minutes. And since nobody can explain the condition to me - I consider myself one of the few who experiences this.

Therefore, having this change in visions should not be alarming. I'm glad that you believed your child. It would have made me happy if someone actually believed me when I was younger!

I had this as a little girl, and was really worried about it. That is, until I told my mom about it, and she told me she had it too when she was little and not to worry, that it would go away. I only had it at night and always thought it was so neat. I felt like my bed was a huge mountain and that the other pieces of furniture in my room were the other mountains around it. And I was standing at the peak, about 3 inches tall. I got the same awe-inspiring feeling as if you were looking at the sunset from the top of a mountain on a clear, beautiful evening. But then again, I always had a fascination with psychology too. I can imagine how this experience would be frightening every time, no matter the amount of reassurance.

Found out later that my mom and I both have Celiac Disease, which we think caused it. I think the actual condition or symptom of far-away seeing is called micropsia. Celiac can cause all sorts of strange neurological problems like peripheral neuropathy or more common ones like irritability, fatigue, and depression. I'm not saying if you have micropsia then you have Celiac Disease, but maybe take a look at other symptoms, and if you find you or your child have one or two more, maybe then consider it. And find a good symptom list that doesn't just list mostly digestive problems--my mom and I had few if any digestive symptoms. Here's a good one, from my mom's website: http://www.glutenfreeindy.com/symptoms.html
There are over 300 symptoms of Celiac Disease. I know this is an old post, but hopefully this helps someone!

Hi so pleased to find someone else's experience on this. My daughter is 6 almost 7. I remember a year ago roughly at bedtime her saying everything seemed far away- we brushed it off as we thought it was an excuse to not go to bed. Recently just over a month it's been happening each night and last 3 weeks during the day too. The school have started monitoring it and currently there's 4 episodes a day at school and then usually another 4 between after school to bedtime. Opticians gave her all clear. Doctors have checked eye nerves all is fine now awaiting referral for paediatrician. I feel absolutely helpless any advice would be greatly received!!
K.

I have heard that this is associated with mono, in children. And a lot of the time they don't get really sick with it, just a general feeling of unwell.
I know, coz my son just had it (age 8)

My son sees "butterflies" but does not complain about seeing things smaller or larger. The doctor believes it's AiWS. But I haven't read that seeing things is a symptom of that condition. Can anyone speak to this? Thanks!