What are the symptoms? Expand Symptoms of paroxysmal dystonia include: abnormal twisting movements in the face, limbs, or body tremor pain Stress and anxiety are known to exacerbate the symptoms.
What are the causes? Expand Dystonia is caused by incorrect signals from the brain to the affected body part. In most people the condition has no known cause. 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 will it affect my life? Expand You may need to find ways to adapt and might have to learn new ways to complete everyday tasks. However, it is possible to live well with the condition and Dystonia UK is here to support you through all stages including initial onset, diagnosis, finding treatment and beyond. During an attack, people with paroxysmal dystonia do not lose consciousness, and are completely aware of their surroundings. There is no effect on the mind or the senses. They are not the same as epilepsy, and therefore do not necessarily disqualify one from driving (though advice should be sought from the driving licence authority [DVLA].)