Paroxysmal Dystonia
The following information is taken from our factsheet, Paroxysmal dystonia.
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Paroxysmal dystonias
Paroxysmal dystonias are a group of rare conditions where attacks of dystonia occur, in between which people are usually completely normal. Sometimes there are triggers to these attacks such as sudden movement, fatigue, coffee and alcohol.
In some types of paroxysmal dystonia the attacks are very brief (seconds to minutes), whereas in others the attacks can be much longer (minutes to hours). Some people have many attacks per day, whereas others have very infrequent attacks.
During an attack, people do not lose consciousness, and are completely aware of their surroundings. Paroxysmal dystonias do not affect the mind or the sense. Paroxysmal dystonias are not the same as epilepsy, and therefore do not necessarily disqualify one from driving (although advice should be sought from the driving licence authority, DVLA).
In most people the condition has no known cause and usually starts in teenage years. Sometimes the condition can be caused by damage to the brain, for example following a head injury. The condition can occasionally run in families.
How can paroxysmal dystonias be treated?
To date, no cure exists for people with paroxysmal dystonias, although a great deal of research is being undertaken around the world, with significant progress. The condition is not life-threatening but treatment is essential and usually available using drugs.
Although paroxysmal dystonia is not the same as epilepsy, many people can be very successfully treated using small doses of the same drugs used to treat epilepsy. In some people these drugs can stop attacks completely. Drugs are not universally effective, and some people do experience side effects.
How do I live with paroxysmal dystonia?
Paroxysmal dystonia can be a challenging condition to live with. The attacks can be quite unpredictable, and this can interrupt normal life. Paroxysmal dystonia is quite a rare condition, and therefore most people, including some doctors, will not have heard of it. People can become confused between paroxysmal dystonia and epilepsy.