Types of Dystonia

There are many types of dystonia. Some types of dystonia can be referred to in more than one way. Many diseases and conditions can include dystonia as a symptom.

Further Reading

Image of a brain.

Acquired Dystonia

Includes dystonia associated with a number of neurological and metabolic diseases.

A old white man is experiencing blepharospasm with her eyes tightly shut and facial muscles tensed.

Blepharospasm

Dystonia that affects the muscles of the eyelids and brow.

Woman in pain holding her neck.

Cervical Dystonia

Dystonia that affects the neck and sometimes the shoulders.

Photo of Levodopa medication.

Dopa-responsive Dystonia

A group of movement disorders that respond to a medication called levodopa.

Close-up of an elderly hand holding multiple prescription pills with medicine bottle in the background.

Drug Induced Dyskinesias & Dystonia

Specific drugs are capable of causing dystonia.

Closeup of Man feeling pain in her foot while the doctor examines.

Functional Dystonia

Dystonia that is secondary to a combination of neurological and psychiatric/psychological causes.

Generalized Dystonia

Dystonia that is not limited to a single part of the body but affects multiple muscle groups throughout the body.

Person holding their wrist and a coffee cup.

Hand Dystonia

Dystonia of the fingers, hand, and/or forearm.

Sick senior adult elderly women touching her neck.

Laryngeal Dystonia

Dystonia that affects the vocal cords.

Physician holding a patient's foot.

Lower Limb Dystonia

Dystonia of the leg, foot, and/or toes.

Musician’s Dystonia

Task specific focal dystonia.

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Myoclonus Dystonia

An inherited dystonia disorder that includes prominent myoclonus symptoms.

Boy in a special wheelchair with a rehabilitation therapist.

Neurological & Metabolic Disorders

Dystonia can occur as a symptom of multiple disorders.

Physician feeling an elderly man's throat.

Oromandibular Dystonia

Symptoms include forceful contractions of the face, jaw, and/or tongue.

A doctor examining a young man in a wheelchair.

Paroxysmal Dystonia & Dyskinesias

Episodic movement disorders in which abnormal movements occur only during attacks.

Pediatric Dystonia

Dystonia can occur in children of all ages.

Rapid-Onset Dystonia Parkinsonism

Rapid-onset dystonia Parkinsonism (RDP) is a hereditary form of dystonia.

Barrels of toxic waste.

Toxins

A number of uncommon toxins are capable of causing brain damage.

Boy with a head injury being cared for by a physician.

Traumatic Injury

Dystonia symptoms may follow trauma to the head, and/or trauma to a specific body area.

Woman stretching and holding her back.

Truncal Dystonia

Truncal dystonia, sometimes referred to as axial dystonia, may also occur as an isolated focal dystonia.

Senior Filipino man outside in nature.

X-Linked Dystonia-Parkinsonism

An inherited dystonia disorder that includes symptoms of parkinsonism.

Find a Support Group

There are many benefits to joining a dystonia support group. Find the support group nearest you and enjoy the rewards.

Support Groups by State
Group posing outside by a sign that reads "Dystonia Moves Me".