Alien hand syndrome, also called Dr. Strangelove syndrome or Strangelovian hand, is a rare neurological condition in which one’s hand moves out of one’s control. Certain people experience that with one of their legs, but it isn’t as common as having the hand affected. In this syndrome, the hand feels foreign to the individual’s body because it moves as if it has a mind of its own, and this gets in the way of the person’s functionality in their day-to-day lives. It is more spread among adults, but it isn’t impossible to affect kids.
Alien Hand Syndrome: Causes
Experts did not find one specific cause for alien hand syndrome (AHS), but they associated it with several medical cases. Alien hand syndrome can happen after neurosurgical procedures that touch on specific regions of the brain, such as the corpus callosum, posterior parietal cortex, supplementary motor cortex, and the anterior cingulate cortex. It can also be caused by neurodegenerative diseases, brain tumors, aneurysms, and lastly and rarely strokes.
What Are The Symptoms
The main symptom of the alien hand syndrome is one’s loss of control over his or her own hand. However, it is crucial to note that losing control does not necessarily mean the hand becomes weak or nonfunctional. Quite the contrary, the hand maintains its complete strength, only moving against its owner’s will.
The most common way to describe it by people who live with the syndrome is a sense of lack of control that feels as if someone else is controlling their hand. Those people also do not deal with any odd or painful movements; grabbing things, buttoning or unbuttoning shirts, or touching their faces. All motion is regular movement, only they are not intentional and happen at random times in which they have no cognitive control over them.
Can It Be Diagnosed?
The diagnosis process can be complicated even for experts, as alien hand syndrome is considered to be a neurological disorder without a psychiatric component. So, the only way a doctor can diagnose it is through long-term observation and evaluation to know whether it is an alien hand syndrome case or a behavioral issue that’s tied to a psychiatric disorder.
Can It Be Treated?
Unfortunately, there is no treatment for alien hand syndrome as of yet. However, experts have been working hard on finding treatments that reduce the intensity of the symptoms in order to offer the patients a more functional life despite their condition. The treatment that doctors suggest depends on what is potentially causing the syndrome in the first place. For example, the treatment for anterior AHS can be sensory tricks, distracting tasks, and cognitive behavioral therapy to control anxiety. As for posterior AHS, the therapeutic methods include visualization strategies, spatial recognition tasks, and pharmacologic treatment.
Doctors can also suggest behavioral intervention and rehabilitation strategies if the patient’s case requires that. For example, the patient can be instructed to do the activities that usually trigger the uncontrolled movement and develop better coping mechanisms, such as keeping the affected hand busy by holding something or restraining it.
If the AHS is caused by a lesion of the corpus callosum, experts would often suggest mirror box therapy. The concept of this treatment is to alter the visual feedback one’s brain receives when watching the affected hand. One would put a mirror between their hands; it would reflect the movement of the unaffected hand and cover the affected one. It is considered to be a rehabilitation modality that tricks the brain into incorporating the mirror image as part of the body.
Final Thoughts
Alien hand syndrome is a rare disorder, and it can be very frustrating to navigate. However, as the unwavering efforts of scientists continue to find ways in which they can help people with this syndrome to live their lives in a much more controlled and functional way, one must do their part. You need to check regularly with your doctor for any odd changes you notice, as an early diagnosis of any medical condition can go a long way and, at times, can save your life!
Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician. Please speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
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