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.