Alien Hand Syndrome - A First Person POV

Alien hand syndrome is a rare neurological condition involving involuntary limb movement as well as a loss of limb ownership. Learn more about the signs and symptoms from a first person POV in this video.

This video is provided for general and educational information only. Please consult your health care provider for Information about your health.

This video was made by McMaster students Sarnti Sornpaisarn, Eshawn Kalia, Muskaan Mehta in collaboration with the McMaster Demystifying Medicine Program.

#DemystifyingMedicine, #MentalHealth

Copyright McMaster University 2021.

References:

Ay, H., Buonanno, F. S., Price, B. H., Le, D. A., & Koroshetz, W. J. (1998). Sensory alien hand syndrome: Case report and review of the literature. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 65(3), 366-369. doi:10.1136/jnnp.65.3.366

Debray, S. B., & Demeestere, J. (2018). Alien hand syndrome. Neurology, 91(11), 527-527. doi:10.1212/wnl.0000000000006172

Panikkath, R., Panikkath, D., Mojumder, D., & Nugent, K. (2014). The alien hand syndrome. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 27(3), 219-220. doi:10.1080/08998280.2014.11929115

[moneyasusual]

It is nothing like this. It doesn't only act in oppositional things, it also does things like bring a drink to your mouth, awaken you in the night touching you without you wanting it to in ways that make you feel so violated- yet it is your own hand. It drums it's fingers, it points, gives thumbs up. Much more complex than what people understand, which makes sense because it is so rare that it is extremely hard to study. 17 months.

[CinJyxxe]

It's important to note that this only occurs when the two hemispheres of the brain are unable to communicate effectively for some reason. There are theories that suggest that the hand acts as if someone else controls it because it is the non-dominant hemisphere of the brain 'acting out' to make its wants and needs known, which it would never have to do when the hemispheres are connected.

[janelbbuck]

I remember the first time I heard about this condition was from a book that spoke about a very old case probably more than 100 years ago. Seeing it in a video form definitely shows the struggle. I hope treatment gets somewhere one day.

[boubacarsow]

Nah if this happens to me me and my hand we fighting

[SUGARSICKFUR]

When I am brushing my teeth my hand will randomly give me a thumbs up, the ailen in me is very supportive

[NewseyPaper]

This must be so frustrating. I can only imagine what it would be like physically having to fight with yourself to do such simple things in life.

[CajunReaper]

The sad part is There isn't one universal cause for alien hand syndrome. But it's always caused by some kind of damage to your brain in a way that disrupts your movement and control. Usually, when someone chooses to start moving their arm, they activate multiple extensive neural networks within their brain.

[FallingDrop]

This is absolute terrifying and I feel terrible for anyone who has to suffer from this. I’d like to imagine it would tease you and annoy you and leave it at that but sadly, I’ve heard of this taking lives or making you do terrible things on its behalf.

[mariasimonestarr]

I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I would have to cut my arm off. That syndrome is absolutely terrifying and my heart hurts for anyone suffering with such a bazaar condition.

[JayBandersnatch]

I was hospitalized with Encephalitis once and on my way to the hospital my legs kept moving against my will, all the way there I kept kicking the dashboard, and then when they put me in the wheelchair I physically had to hold my legs in order to make them stay in the stirrups of the wheelchair. It's crazy what you mind does when not completely functioning correctly.

[thebiggaklipa]

My parental grandpa used to have this condition, he never went to see a doctor for it rather he desided to live with it, from what i can remember, he used to choke himself and we would try release his hand from his neck barely, his had would also grab onto any object in distance and try stab himself with it, it was quite hectic.

[applescruff]

I had no idea something like this was real. I found out about it while reading about the character of Dr. Strangelove. I genuinely hope everyone with this affliction lives to see the day when it can be cured. No one should ever have to live like this.

[bakinghermit]

Just recently read about this in a book...but to actually see how it would look if a person has it, is much scarier in a way. It must be really stressful and frustrating...at least I think it would be for me.

[PlxsteredHrt]

2:57 I’m sorry but the “bad hand bad hand” is killing me

[lolalina_]

I don't know if anyone is going to see my comment but I read, that that can be caused when you seperate the brain. Like physically seperate it. It's scary because it's almost like there are two in you. So I guess it would be interesting to see why the two brainparts are not completly connected in those cases(now I am not talking about physicially - but more so with neurons and signals and stuff) since that's what I think might be at play. Simply because cutting through the brain in the middle and parting the two sides can have similar effects.

[Mrbaddaman]

Alien hand syndrome is basically your hand saying I’m tired of working with you and tries to go were it wants. (But my theory is your brain has a malfunction with the hand and tries to gain control but lost it)

[flxmkr]

There was one occasion that makes me understand this. I had a broken left elbow when I was 7. I was naturally sucked my left thumb when I went to bed. But because I couldn’t put my left thumb in my mouth, due to the shoulder length cast, I began sucking my right thumb.

The day the cast came off, I went to bed and immediately both my left and right thumbs went in my mouth at the same time. It was the weirdest experience! But it only happened that one time.

[sujayapublications]

Respect to those who are suffering 😢😢😢

[ChesterManfred]

This'd be really fun if you could experience it for a few minutes. But, being tethered to it for the rest of your life is just horrifying

[anablackmoon]

So scary 😦 I never knew about, until I was visiting my sister and her hand was having a tantrum. It was throwing things, grabbing and just was acting like it wanted to hurt, break, do its own thing. My sister refuses to talk about it and denies everything.