September is Dystonia Awareness Month! I created a graphic comparing dystonia with essential tremors. Unfortunately, they often get confused! It’s important to see a movement disorder specialist (a type of neurologist) who has experience in seeing and treating a variety of movement disorders.

Dystonia and essential tremors can have some similar treatment options, such as Botox, physical therapy, and the benzodiazepine or “pam” medications (e.g., diazepam, clonazepam), which I personally wouldn’t recommend due to their potentially addictive qualities. It’s not unusual for essential tremors and dystonia to co-exist, which can make diagnosing more challenging.

Essential tremor is considered progressive, though dystonia is not by default. However, many people, myself included, have found it to be progressive over the years, with the muscle spasms and pulling often worsening or spreading into other parts of the body. My cervical dystonia started out focal (affecting just one area of the body) and has since spread into my vocal cords, hand, and face.

Visit the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation’s website for more information!

And check out my other posts about dystonia:

• Hobbies Lost to Dystonia
• “Why Are You Shaking Your Head ‘No’?”
• Dystonia at 13: What Would I Do Differently?

Thanks for reading!