‘You Are a Toddler in a Woman’s Body’: Disorder Causes 22-Year-Old to Revert to Childlike State
- Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:19pm by
Liz Klimas
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It’s a rare but devastating disorder. Only about 1,000 people worldwide have Kleine-Levin Syndrome. Alanna Wong is one of them.
Wong can sleep for nearly 22 hours a day and reverts to childlike symptoms — including babbling, tantrums and binge eating –for weeks at a time, with no knowledge of the episodes afterward.
Wong during an episode. (Photo: Barcoft via The Sun)
Wong, now 22, "healthy", or not during an episode. (Photo: Barcroft via The Sun)
(Related: Rare syndrome causes British teen to sleep for days at a time)
The Sun reports Wong’s mother, Diane, saying she acts as if she were five:
She starts crying and gets so upset, thinking everyone hates her.
“I’d try to make her read a book with me to calm her, but she suddenly can’t do it.
Diane was terrified when her daughter developed KLS, aged ten.
She said: “It was so scary when she first got KLS — I thought she’d lost skills like reading and basic maths forever.”
Wong with her parents. (Photo: Barcoft via The Sun)
Wong has also shared her perspective on having the syndrome:
”I binge on junk food. I pack in chocolate, pizza and other fatty foods.
“At age 18 I was losing control of my eating through episodes and weighed 13 stone.
“I could gain a stone in just three weeks if an episode lasted long enough.
“Once I come out of episodes I just work out a lot and stay conscious of what I eat to lose the weight again.”
She added: “During episodes you lose the ability to regulate what you are doing — like you are a toddler in a woman’s body.
“You make embarrassing decisions without considering the consequences, and you remember nothing of them.”
Watch this clip from a documentary about Wong and KLS from a few years ago:
The Sun reports that Wong’s longest episode lasted eight months and notes that it took doctors eight years to correctly diagnose the now 22-year-old. With little known on the disease, which medical experts say mostly affects men and that most sufferers grow out of by age 30, Wong seeks to raise awareness through the charity — KLS Life — she started and runs. Since not many people know the disease exists, Wong, who is in college, says she has to take online courses because those around her wouldn’t understand if she went into an attack. As you can image, Wong can sometimes miss loads of coursework during an episode.
In a 2008 post from the KLS Foundation about Wong, the organization state that there is no test to find if someone has the disease – doctors can only match symptoms. But neurologists were able to measure differences in Wong’s brain when she was healthy and sick:
Instead of just looking around the brain the procedure looked deeper inside and examined the anatomy of the brain, determined precisely which part of the brain is handling critical functions, such as thought, speech, movements and sensation (called brain mapping) and helped assess the effects of stroke, trauma, or degenerative disease (such as Alzheimer’s) on brain function. [Dr. Bart] Keogh found Alanna’s brain functioned perfectly while she was “awake” or healthy. She was able to process speech and language through her left-brain, hearing through her right and left temporal lobes and had no problems with blood flow to her brain.
[...]
Keogh found that when she was sick her left brain completely shut down during the speech and language part of the test, hearing in both her lobes were diminished, and it took her a while to make sense of what she was hearing. The blood flow to her brain was also restricted. “It’s the first time there was scientific evidence and proof that Alanna’s brain couldn’t function,” said Diane. “The problem was that Keogh never would be able to tell us how to fix the chemical changes and why the blood wasn’t flowing to a crucial and critical part of her brain, but it made sense why she was not functioning properly.”
The Sun notes that Wong has made some strides and has moved out on her own to Hawaii from her parents Seattle home.
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Comments (118)
ballsofFe
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 12:22amthe cure: a Texas judge and his belt
Report Post »MrObvious
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 1:19amWere you not paying attention? Restricted blood flow to the brain. IE that’s almost a mini-stroke, except a whole lot longer lasting, and without the permanent physiological damage.
Sounds like a better treatment might be a drug that increases blood flow to the brain.
There are probably a few of those, not doubt used for other purposes.
She could also try hanging upside down whenever she starts to feel light headed.
Report Post »kaydeebeau
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 6:11amI think there must be more sufferers – I seem to recall several thousand camped out in Zucotti park and other places around the country recently. I am also fairly certain that there would also be found many sufferers at the Demoncratic National Convention later this year, anchors on MSDNC, CNN and other alphabet networks, sure to see plenty in Hollyweird this weekend at the Oscars……
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 7:32amI believe that was a tongue in cheek remark….the one about the Texas judge….
Report Post »SleepingBeautysMom
Posted on June 20, 2012 at 10:49pmI just found this story I know its older but my kid has been diagnosed with this and her reply to all of you who have no idea what your talking about… “I’m coming
Report Post »over to your house and sleeping on your couch. Just try and wake me up”
sbenard
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 12:19amCan we spank her for bad behavior, too? I wouldn’t be surprised if that brings a remarkable improvement!
Report Post »TROONORTH
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:37amI agree. In fact, I will volunteer to administer it!
Report Post »american_rose_126
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:48amYou should be ashamed of yourself. Making fun of another’s misfortune and debilitating condition. At least there is a reason for her behavior beyond her ability to control. Yours? There is no excuse for. That goes for all the posts on here by callous and cold-hearted fools. Do you not read what you write before you post it? Do you feel no shame? No accountability for your utter lack of empathy? You are like court jesters at the end of the world–those with heart–those with honor–pick up a weapon and fight evil–they don’t join in it.
Report Post »TheCoffinMaker
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:30amHaving the authority bestowed by the high school diploma adorning my wall, the following treatment is to be administered:
Grab a flip-flop with the right hand, swing, and with absolute malice, across the face such object, to create the most noticeable smacking sound that neighbors could mistake for a firecracker.
Repeat as necessary until symptoms subside.
Report Post »jcvillar
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 2:21pmSounds kinky, yet somehow perverse.
Report Post »thetreyman
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 3:25pm@american_rose_126
it is probably hard for the people you call “callus and cold-hearted fools” to take this very seriously. after all, it is from the sun. in case you dont know what that is, it is a british tabloid paper. you need to lighten up a bit and quit being offended about everything. i dont know how people could stand to be around you if you are like this in your non internet life. constantly sitting in judgment of others, being the arbiter of all things moral and decent must be tiring.
Report Post »Tankertony
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 12:03amThe perfect obummer voter. A child trapped in an adults body.
Report Post »WeekendAtBernankes
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 12:14amSomehow despite missing “months of coursework” every episode she‘ll be allowed to graduate as if she’d done as much work as everyone else. What a scam. My sympathy goes out but these easy degrees are inflating away the value of my degree as a labor market signal.
Report Post »karenm
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 8:28amthat’s funny and true!
Report Post »Godfather.1
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:57amA child trapped in an adult’s body, that sounds like a perfect description of His Highness Glenn Beck. Have you seen his reaction when his views are challenged? Have you seen how he responds to criticism?
At least this woman has an excuse. What‘s Glenn’s?
Report Post »sasquatch08
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 12:00amMy first thought when I read this was pretty mean: “Oh, so she acts like a normal woman”.
Upon reflection however, this would be a truly terrifying disorder for bother her and her family.
Hopefully the doctors are right and the disorder will go away as she gets older.
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:04amHumor is always a good thing but,
It is a problem you need to be aware of, My wife is in her 50’s and has something similar to this. It is living on eggshells knowing at any time something may be triggered.
We have terrible insurance and have never received any professional diagnosis. It would take years and $$$ to figure out exactly why this happens.
Enjoy the good days and await a bad day.
Report Post »Rowgue
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 11:49pmIf that’s considered a disorder they need to adjust their figures. At least half the population of the united states behaves like that every day.
Report Post »VicksVaporub
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 11:58pmexactly
Report Post »Cesium
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 1:10amidiots
Report Post »babylonvi
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 11:46pmUntil I saw the picture, I thought they were talking about Nancy Pelosi or Debbie Wasserman-Test-Schultz.
Report Post »RestoreCapitalism
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 10:58pmIf this continues, she could end up being a community organizer.
Report Post »JQCitizen
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:50pmThink this might be Barney Frank’s problem? I always thought when he talks he sounds like one of those punk 5th graders on the playground, yelling, “Hey, that’s not fair!”
Report Post »ThoreauHD
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:50pmIt looks like the vessels aren’t providing blood to her brain uniformly. If that’s the case, then that‘s just how she’s made, and is basically handicapped. This could be a real problem for her as she gets older, since blood pressure drops and vessels thin.
It’s too bad. I also noticed that her eyes were dilated when she was awake, like she was in a coma. That’s not normal. As people said, it looks demonic, but demons don’t ask for cookies, milk, and a teddy bear. In any case, I wish her well.
Report Post »Sebastian Xavier
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 10:57pmNo it’s not “just how she’s made”. It’s a disease that affects a small population, but it eventually goes away. And why wouldn’t demons like cookies?
Report Post »TulsaYeeHaw
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 11:37pmBecause they don’t have bodies. And they like cake better. Duh…..
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 6:31amI have to wonder, migraines are caused by shrinking of the blood vessels. 1) Is this something like a really long complex migraine? 2) would migraine meds or anti-seizure meds help?
Report Post »JQCitizen
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:46pmUgly comment!
Report Post »zhaan
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:43pmBoy, some really insensitive comments here for a young woman dealing with a debilitating disorder. You do realize, folks, that people come to this website, read the mean-spirited comments you make, and leave with the conclusion that conservatives are mean-spirited jerks. You’re not helping yourselves with this lack of compassion.
Report Post »DaveOregon
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:52pmTotally agree. It’s not like she “chosse’ to be this way – nor anyone else with this disease. God love her and good luck to her.
Report Post »Ducky 1
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 10:41pmI get your point but I am not sure these are all conservatives making these comments.
Report Post »american_rose_126
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 11:25pmTotally agree with you, and thank you! I don’t care who people are or who they vote for–but have some decency and respect! Just because you can post anonymously–does not mean you are not heard and that what you say ‘doesn’t count‘ or doesn’t hurt others.
This is a young woman who is battling a disorder that must be terrifying and distressing not only to her, but those who love her! Yet here she is–bravely trying to raise awareness and help others with the same condition.
Many people in this country suffer and struggle with a wide range of disabilities–and it is NOT ok to mock and stare and make fun…acting like they are a freak show…Have some respect for your fellow human beings.
Report Post »cherylinva
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 9:29amTotally agree about some of the comments posted here. Whatever happened to empathy?
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 10:44amIt is truly amazing the brutality of the comments about this young woman’s medical condition. If you claim to be a Christian and post sardonic, insulting or heartless comments, you need to spend some time on your knees asking for forgiveness. If you are a troll positng this type of comment, you really need to decide the nature of your character.
Report Post »TPartyXpress
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 1:33pmThe insensitive clots making jokes about this need a syndrome that turns them in 150-year-old corpses.
Report Post »sizzler2220
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:42pmShe must have listened to Obama or Pelosi for more than one minute.
Report Post »ChiefGeorge
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:26pmMy daughter was very normal and responsible growing up but from age 17-20 she began to act like a big cry baby. She was learning this from the liberal victimism she encountered in studies at school where everyone is a victim and then should act up to get attention. She had no such disorder but only a mental why me pity party phase that she has since grown out of. She was able to grow out of it because she had to work to put herself through school which showed her that she could and would have to make it on her own without a helicopter parent’s waiting to rush in with cash and free stuff. This girl appears to be in some real mental state, it would be hard to fake this.
Report Post »Saralynn
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:18pmDemonic?
Report Post »Thelaststraw
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:33pmExactly what I was thinking.
Report Post »hatchetjob
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:05pmI’d never heard of someone gaining a stone. Interesting…
Report Post »bowenit
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:22pmIt’s a reference to weight apx 16 pounds ( ~ 8 Kilograms)
Report Post »NorthernX
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:04pmJust looks like typical crybaby MEcentric Liberalism to me.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:01pmYeah that happens sometimes when parents push their toddlers to be grown-ups rather than to let them be toddlers while letting the ‘word’ of the parents make itself self evident. They separate their soul because part wants to be a toddler and eventually breaks out. I know it’s true because the parents seem more worried about her forgetting the schooling.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:04pmShe doesn’t just have a disease, but that her parents got together and made this alter between the two of them, and then they raised their tools to it and polluted it.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:10pmSee, that’s why homosexuals have so much discontent, because they can not get together out of love with another and build a real alter.
Report Post »Itsjusttim
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 9:14pmI get a kick out of doctors, they know many things about the anatomy of the brain except the way it works.
Report Post »johnsell
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 10:13pmITSJUSTTIM IMO they don‘t realize that the brain is merely the central switchboard that sends the signals to the various branches and they don’t consider that just possibly, there is something using and commanding that organ much like a driver drives the car. If one considers that one is not his body and that he is able to operate the body as opposed to being the effect of the body, then it opens up understandings beyond mere physical ones. There is a reason why she is normal and in control at times and effect and unable to control her body at other times. I believe the mind is a separate entity from the brain and body which is unique and exists in way and form beyond the mere physical and possibly in the field of electronics…..
Report Post »SquirrelNYC
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:52pmWhat an incredible story. It’s amazing how far science has come, and thank God that doctors were finally able to make a diagnosis. It’s good to see that this young lady is still healthy and has a strong family to support her. All the best!
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:45pmNaaaahhhh!!!…..100% BS, avoiding responsibility and accountability………..
Report Post »Big Media Bias
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:45pmI’m a guy. I act like this every time I get drunk.
”…babbling, tantrums and binge eating… binge on junk food. pack in chocolate, pizza and other fatty foods… starts crying and gets so upset, thinking everyone hates me…”
“You make embarrassing decisions without considering the consequences, and you remember nothing of them.”
“With little known on the disease, which medical experts say mostly affects men and that most sufferers grow out of by age 30…”
I have not grown out of my drinking blackouts. I wish I did when I turned thirty. Microbreweries are evil.
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:52pmLol
Report Post »Rayblue
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:39pmIs that a “tribble” on her left armpit ?
Report Post »Mr.Fitnah
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:31pmSounds like spoiled brat syndrome.
Report Post »Typical Democrat voter.
Arminianism
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:39pmI was thinking the same thing. I wonder if any of the OWS protesters have this? ;)
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:28pmMaybe… it is Nature’s way of protecting someone… from understanding the Evil that is going on in the Real World!
Report Post »82dAirborne
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:24pmThat explains a lot!!!!!! That’s what is wrong with my ex-wife!! Learn something everyday!
Report Post »momrules
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:53pm82dairborne…….I haven’t seen you posting for awhile, glad to see you back.
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on February 24, 2012 at 6:08pmZing!
The human brain… it can be a mess.
Report Post »TheBurningTruth
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:24pmHey, I know somebody in the White House that acts just like this!
Report Post »GBTVFan_Non_American_Overseas
Posted on February 23, 2012 at 8:50pmSomebody?…..more like a bunch!
Report Post »