The symptoms of dystonia can vary depending on the type of dystonia that you have and when it develops.
The symptoms of dystonia can affect anyone of any age but most commonly begin between ages 40 and 60. This is known as late-onset dystonia. In most cases the symptoms start in the neck, head or one of the arms and don’t progress any further.
Sometimes, the symptoms of dystonia begin in childhood or early adulthood, usually between five and 30 years old. This is known as early-onset dystonia. Symptoms usually begin in a leg or arm before spreading to other limbs and sometimes the torso (the upper part of the body, excluding the head and limbs).
Early-onset dystonia
Generalised dystonia
Generalised dystonia often begins around the time a child reaches puberty. The symptoms usually begin in one of the limbs before spreading to other parts of the body.
Symptoms of generalised dystonia include:
- muscle spasms
- the limbs or torso can take on an abnormal, twisted posture
- a foot, leg or arm can turn inwards
- body parts can jerk rapidly
Dopa-responsive dystonia
Dopa-responsive dystonia is a type of generalised dystonia.
The symptoms of dopa-responsive dystonia usually begin during childhood, between ages six and 16. The most common symptom is an abnormal, stiff way of walking. The sole of the foot can bend upwards or the foot may turn outwards at the ankle.
Some people with dopa-responsive dystonia may also have muscle stiffness and spasms in their arms and torso.
Late-onset dystonia
Cervical dystonia
Cervical dystonia, also known as torticollis, is the most common form of dystonia. It’s a type of focal dystonia (affects only one body part) that affects the neck muscles. Focal dystonia only affects one body part.
Contractions and spasms in your neck muscles can range from mild to severe and lead to your head and neck:
- twisting
- being pulled forwards, backwards or from side to side
Muscle spasms and contractions can lead to the additional symptoms of neck pain and stiffness.
The symptoms of cervical dystonia can often be relieved by touching your chin, neck or the back of your head. The reasons for this are unclear.
Blepharospasm
Blepharospasm is a type of focal dystonia that affects the muscles around your eyes.
Symptoms of blepharospasm include:
- eye irritation
- sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- uncontrollable blinking
- uncontrollable closing of the eyes – in the most severe cases, a person can’t open their eyes for several minutes, effectively making them blind for short periods of time
If you have blepharospasm, the pattern of your symptoms can change throughout the day. You may have few or no symptoms when you wake up in the morning, but your symptoms may start to appear or get worse when you’re tired or under stress.
Hemifacial spasm
Hemifacial spasm is a type of focal dystonia that causes the muscles on one side of the face to spasm. This symptom may be more prominent and troublesome when you’re feeling tired or under stress.
Laryngeal dystonia
Laryngeal dystonia is a type of focal dystonia that causes the muscles of the larynx (voice box) to spasm. Depending on whether the muscles of your larynx spasm outwards or inwards, your voice can sound either ‘strangled’ or very quiet and ‘breathy’.
Writer’s cramp
Writer’s cramp is a type of focal dystonia that causes involuntary cramps and movements in the muscles of the arm and wrist. As the name suggests, writer’s cramp usually affects people who do a lot of writing. This type of dystonia is also sometimes known as task-specific dystonia.
Other less well-known types of task-specific dystonia include:
- musician’s cramp
- golfer’s cramp
- typist’s cramp
Myoclonus dystonia
Myoclonus dystonia is a rare type of segmental dystonia that affects the muscles in the arms, neck and torso. Segmental dystonia affects two or more connected parts of the body. It causes sudden ‘jerk-like’ spasms that are similar to the spasms that someone has when they get an electric shock.
Oromandibular dystonia
Oromandibular dystonia is a type of segmental dystonia that affects the muscles in the mouth and jaw. It can cause your mouth to pull outwards and upwards.
In some cases, the symptoms of oromandibular dystonia only occur when your mouth is being used, such as while eating and talking. In other cases, the symptoms may be improved by talking or chewing.
If you have oromandibular dystonia, you may also have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
Paroxysmal dystonia
Paroxysmal dystonia is a rare type of dystonia where muscle spasms and unusual body movements only occur at certain times. The sudden onset of symptoms is known as an attack.
The symptoms of paroxysmal dystonia can be similar to the symptoms of an epileptic fit. During an attack, only your muscles will be affected. Unlike epilepsy, you won’t lose consciousness and you’ll remain fully aware of your surroundings. Attacks can last from a few minutes to several hours.
Certain situations or substances can trigger an attack including:
