Unfortunately, there’s no way to diagnose Alice in Wonderland Syndrome(AIWS) conclusively. That is because the condition is rare and usually short-lived, so there are no official criteria for it. The most probable way a Nurse can diagnose this condition is by asking the person(who is suffering this disorder),questions about the symptoms that they exhibit. A Doctor may also perform a neurological exam to determine if the person is having any issues with other types of brain function. Certain types of diagnostic tests may also be recommended as a means in looking for or ruling out other brain-related conditions — some of which are serious — that could cause AIWS symptoms.
How is AIWS diagnosed?
The most likely tests with AIWS include the following. These include:
​
Imaging tests. The most likely imaging tests are computed tomography (CT) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. These tests can look for structural changes or other issues in your brain that could cause AIWS.
Spinal tap (lumbar puncture). A thin layer of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounds your brain and spinal cord, cushioning them as you move. Lab tests can look for signs of infection in your CSF, which can help diagnose an infection causing AIWS.
Electroencephalography (EEG). This test analyzes the electrical activity in your brain. It’s a key test for diagnosing brain-related conditions like seizures and epilepsy.
Visual evoked potentials. This test analyzes your eyes and the signals they send to your brain. It makes sure your eyes and optic nerves, which connect your eyes to your brain, are working correctly.
​
Blood tests. A Doctor can rule out or diagnose viruses or infections that could be causing AIWS symptoms such as Epstein-Barr-virus(EBV).
​
​
AWS may be underdiagnosed. This is because the episodes — which often last only a few seconds or minutes — may not rise to a level of concern for people experiencing them. This is especially true with young children.
The fleeting nature of the episodes can also make it difficult for doctors to study AWS and better understand its effects.