An elderly woman experienced terrifying symptoms of rare alien hand syndrome, leading to her urgent hospitalization for treatment.
An elderly woman faced a shocking experience when she developed a rare condition known as alien hand syndrome.
This condition caused her left hand to move on its own, leaving her feeling scared and helpless. Here’s her story.
The 77-year-old woman was simply sitting at home, watching television. Suddenly, she noticed her left hand starting to move without her control.
It felt like something else was controlling it. She was terrified as her hand stroked her face and hair. Despite her efforts to stop it, she could not gain control.
Understanding alien hand syndrome
Alien hand syndrome, also called Dr. Strangelove syndrome, is a rare medical condition. It causes a person’s hand to act independently.
The affected hand can grab objects or make movements that the person does not intend. Some cases have been serious, where the hand could even cause harm to the person.
Typically, this syndrome occurs after brain trauma or strokes. Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s can also lead to this condition.
In this woman’s case, doctors believe her symptoms may have been caused by a stroke.
Woman suffers chilling symptom from rare condition known as ‘alien hand syndrome’
For nearly 30 minutes, the woman’s left hand continued to move on its own. During this time, she felt scared and confused.
She tried using her right hand to control the left, but it did not work. After a while, her husband noticed something was wrong and took her to the hospital.
At the hospital, doctors assessed her condition. They found that her left arm felt weak and numb.
The medical team also realized she was dragging her left leg while walking. This was another sign of a possible stroke.
“Her left hand stroked her face and hair without her will. She got terrified,” the authors of the bizarre 2014 case study, which was published in the journal Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, wrote.
“Her attempts to control the left hand with the right hand were unsuccessful. She did not have any control of the left hand for almost 30 minutes as it continued to make purposeful movements.”
Causes of alien hand syndrome
Doctors explained that alien hand syndrome usually arises from specific brain injuries.
When the brain is damaged, it can lose control over certain body parts. This can happen due to accidents, surgeries, or diseases.
In this woman’s case, she had recently stopped taking her blood clot medication in preparation for spinal surgery. This might have contributed to her stroke.
“Alien hand syndrome, or Dr. Strangelove syndrome, is an interesting situation in which a person loses control of his or her hand, which starts to act independently,” they wrote.
“The alien hand might grab onto things and the person might have to use the other limb to release the objects from it. At extremes, the alien hand has been reported to even suffocate the patient.
The medical team diagnosed her with alien hand syndrome based on her symptoms.
There is currently no cure for the condition. However, it can be managed through various methods.
Behavioral therapy is often recommended. One approach is to keep the affected hand busy with tasks to redirect its movements.
In this case, the woman gradually regained control of her left side. After about six hours, she was able to return home. Her experience was shocking but fortunately did not last long.
Alien hand syndrome can be very distressing for those who experience it. The feeling of losing control over one’s own body can lead to anxiety and fear. P
eople with this syndrome often need support from family and friends. Understanding the condition can help others be more supportive.