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  • types-of-dystonia
  1. About dystonia
  2. Types of dystonia

Types of dystonia

There are many different types of dystonia.

Dystonia can affect any region of the body and each type has its own clinical name. Neck dystonia and eye dystonia are the two most common types of dystonia. Dystonia can also affect one part of the body, or multiple parts.

  • Generalised dystonia - affects most or all of the body.
  • Focal dystonia - affects one part of the body.
  • Multifocal dystonia - affects two or more unrelated parts of the body.
  • Segmental dystonia - affects two or more adjacent parts of the body.

Dystonia which starts in adult life usually remains focal to one or two parts of the body. If dystonia starts in childhood, it tends to spread across multiple parts of the body.

Some types don't affect a specific body part but have a specific cause or defining symptom.

  • Dopa-responsive dystonia is a result of low dopamine.
  • Myoclonus dystonia features brief 'lightning-like' jerks.
  • Paroxysmal dystonia appears in episodes.
  • Tardive dystonia is a long-lasting side effect from taking certain medications.
  • Functional dystonia is caused by psychological or psychiatric factors.

Sometimes you'll hear the dystonia referred to by its cause instead, which can be:

  • inherited - a dystonia caused by mutations in a specific gene
  • acquired (secondary) - a dystonia that appears to have a specific cause such as a drug reaction, brain injury, or as a symptom of another neurological or metabolic disorder
  • idiopathic - a dystonia with no know or clear cause

You might also hear dystonia referred to as 'primary' or 'isolated'. This means dystonia is the only neurological symptom a person appears to have.

Abdominal dystonia

Abdominal dystonia

Other names: Truncal dystonia / Belly dancer’s dyskinesia / Abdominal wall dystonia | Type: Focal Read more

Published: 10th July, 2020

Author: Bernie McMahon

Dopa-responsive dystonia

Dopa-responsive dystonia

Other names: DRD / Segawa’s dystonia / Segawa’s disease / DYT5 dystonia / Progressive hereditary dystonia | Type: Generalised Read more

Published: 9th September, 2019

Updated: 25th June, 2020

Author:

Eye dystonia

Eye dystonia

Other names: Blepharospasm | Type: Focal Read more

Published: 9th September, 2019

Updated: 25th June, 2020

Author:

Eye dystonia with mouth, tongue and jaw dystonia

Eye dystonia with mouth, tongue and jaw dystonia

Other names: Meige syndrome, cranial dystonia, oral facial dystonia | Type: Focal Read more

Published: 9th September, 2019

Updated: 26th June, 2020

Author:

Functional dystonia

Functional dystonia

Other names: Psychogenic dystonia | Type: Focal / Generalised Read more

Published: 1st July, 2021

Updated: 6th July, 2021

Author: Bernie McMahon

Hand dystonia

Hand dystonia

Other names: Focal hand dystonia / Writer’s cramp / Musician’s cramp / Musician’s dystonia | Type: Focal Read more

Published: 9th September, 2019

Updated: 26th June, 2020

Author:

Lower limb dystonia

Lower limb dystonia

Other names: Focal foot dystonia / Focal leg dystonia | Type: Focal but may lead to generalised dystonia Read more

Published: 23rd June, 2020

Updated: 25th June, 2020

Author: Bernie McMahon

Mouth, tongue and jaw dystonia

Mouth, tongue and jaw dystonia

Other names: Oromandibular dystonia | Type: Focal Read more

Published: 9th September, 2019

Updated: 26th June, 2020

Author:

Myoclonus dystonia

Myoclonus dystonia

Other names: M-D | Type: Generalised Read more

Published: 9th September, 2019

Updated: 28th June, 2020

Author:

Neck dystonia

Neck dystonia

Other names: Cervical dystonia / Spasmodic torticollis | Type: Focal Read more

Published: 9th September, 2019

Updated: 28th June, 2020

Author:

One sided body dystonia

One sided body dystonia

Other names: Hemidystonia | Type: Affects one side of the body Read more

Published: 23rd June, 2020

Updated: 25th June, 2020

Author: Bernie McMahon

Paroxysmal dystonia

Paroxysmal dystonia

Other names: None | Type: Focal / Generalised Read more

Published: 10th July, 2020

Author: Bernie McMahon

Tardive dystonia

Tardive dystonia

Other names: Acute dystonia / Acute dystonic reaction | Type: Focal Read more

Published: 10th July, 2020

Author: Bernie McMahon

Voice dystonia

Voice dystonia

Other names: Laryngeal dystonia or spasmodic dysphonia | Type: Focal Read more

Published: 28th June, 2020

Author: Bernie McMahon

Whole body dystonia

Whole body dystonia

Other names: Generalised dystonia / Early-onset dystonia / Primary early-onset generalised dystonia / DYT1 dystonia | Type: Generalised Read more

Published: 25th June, 2020

Updated: 30th June, 2020

Author: Bernie McMahon

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