Alien Hand Syndrome
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These wandering hands really are not my fault!
The only guy or girl who would ever be able to pull that line off successfully would be someone who suffers from alien hand syndrome, or anarchic hand syndrome. This syndrome individuals experience includes sensation and movement of one of their hands, though this movement is separate from their control. To put it simply, their hand moves on it's own!
What causes anarchic hand syndrome?
In one extreme, having a surgeon split your brain in two (an actual procedure wherein the surgeon splits the two halves of your brain in an effort to relieve severe epilepsy) seems to be one cause. Having a stroke, infection, or other surgery to your brain can also be a factor in this bizarre affliction. Other likely causes are:
- § Damage to the frontal lobe of the brain
- § Being a great liar to cover up your perverted groping (I joke, I joke.)
- § Any disconnection between parts of the brain involved in body movement, such as the parts that control the right and left hand, foot, eye, etcetera.
What to do about conflicted grips:
One suggested solution to controlling your wayward hand has been to occupy it with an object to grasp at all times. Another suggestion I found was to train your hand to perform a certain action. You can wear an oven mitt, which desensitizes the hand and makes it less likely to perform random acts, though it will also be more difficult to perform what regular tasks it is capable of presently.
Interesting Trivia Regarding Anarchic Hand Syndrome:
- Some sufferers of alien hand syndrome give life to their affliction, referring to their own hand as if it belongs to someone else, as if it rents space on their arm for fun.
- In popular media, over 30 high-profile shows have featured anarchic hand syndrome involving one or more main characters.
- Really, one serious tip I found online did refer to wearing an oven mitt, the thing from your kitchen keeping you from burning yourself when you pull food out of the oven.
Brain Weirdness in the News
- NFL to tackle brain damageNew York Post19 hours ago
The NFL is partnering with Boston University brain researchers who have been critical of the league's stance on concussions, the AP learned yesterday. The league now plans to give $1 million and encourage current and former NFL players to donate th...
- Building a Search Engine of the Brain, Slice by SliceInternational Herald Tribune9 hours ago
The dissection of the brain of H. M., an amnesiac, has opened the door to a much more ambitious project.
- Building a Search Engine of the Brain, Slice by SliceNew York Times11 hours ago
In Southern California, the dissection of H. M.’s brain opens the door to a much more ambitious project.
Books on different kinds of brain damage
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Does Stress Damage the Brain?: Understanding Trauma-Related Disorders from a Mind-Body Perspective
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Brain-Damage: A Book About Overcoming Cognitive Deficit and Creating the New You
Price: $19.95
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The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science (James H. Silberman Books)
Price: $9.25
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Classic Cases in Neuropsychology II (Brain Damage, Behaviour, and Cognition)
Price: $72.18
List Price: $90.00 |
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Traumatic Brain Injury: Mechanisms of Damage, Assessment, Intervention, and Outcome
Price: $40.00
List Price: $61.10 |
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Brain Damage in the Preterm Infant (Clinics in Developmental Medicine )
Price: $25.50
List Price: $101.95 |
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Comments
I cheer those who joke about their independant hand and live with it. That's the attitude!
becauseilive: I have a very weak case of RLS, my legs will shudder every now and then to such a point that my body rocks while I sleep, which wakes me (and my fiance) up. Generally these shudders come with an elevation in my heart rate, and the sensation that I am falling from somewhere very high. The worst cases of this came while I was young, I think I just exhaust myself more now-a-days.
Kenny: I have two lazy eyes and a bit of a pudgy belly. I'm the first to make fun of them! :P
Okay, Charlotte, then I cheer you!
My mother was just diagnosed with this. Where can I go to find more information
Hello David! First, let me direct you to visit the two links at the end of this article. Also, you can find more information at:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2075222_diagnose-alien-han
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/sci_tech/2000/
http://jnnp.bmj.com/cgi/content/extract/67/1/130
Please be well!






becauseilive says:
2 years ago
I know it's not at all the same, but this reminds me of Restless Leg Syndrome. Back in 2005 I had this like freak 4-week attack of RLS, though I didn't know what it was at the time. I just remember being shot wide awake at three in the morning because my legs wouldn't stop cramping and kicking of their own accord. It was so bad I got up and did laundry.