What is dystonia?
Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder in which sustained muscle contractions cause twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal posture due to disordered tonicity of muscles. Sustained muscle contraction (dystonia) may be caused by a number of conditions.
How do members experience dystonia?
Top 5 symptoms reported by people with dystonia*
Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Pain in back of neck and shoulders
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Unsteady gait
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
Post exertional fatigue or malaise
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
Posturing
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
Muscle contractions
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
Top treatments taken by people for dystonia*
Who has dystonia on PatientsLikeMe?
| Age | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| <20 | 8 | |
| 20s | 24 | |
| 30s | 58 | |
| 40s | 107 | |
| 50s | 129 | |
| 60s | 166 | |
| 70+ | 166 |
Distribution of sex
| Sex | Proportion | # of patients |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 158 | |
| Female | 485 |