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Dystonia and SD

Spasmodic dysphonia is a form of

dystonia
Spasmodic Dysphonia (SD) belongs to a family of
neurological disorders called dystonias. A dystonia
is a movement disorder that causes muscles to
contract and spasm involuntarily. Dystonias can be
generalized, affecting the entire body, or focal,
affecting only a specific area of the body or group
of muscles.

Following Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor,

dystonia is the third most common movement
disorder. The most common focal dystonia, cervical
dystonia, causes the neck to twist or contort. Other
dystonias can cause abnormal, involuntary blinking
or spasm of the eyelids (blepharospasm),
inappropriate contractions of the hand muscles
(writer’s cramp), or uncontrolled movements from
spasms in any of the muscles of the face, jaw, or
tongue (oromandibular dystonia).

Certain forms of dystonia, including SD, are task-

specific, meaning that the muscles spasm only
when they are used for particular actions and not
when they are at rest.

Source: Dystonia Medical Research Foundation

REAL PEOPLE

For Dilbert cartoonist, Scott Adams, having dystonia in

his hand helped him to figure out his diagnosis of
spasmodic dysphonia. Scott had SLAD-R Surgery to
treat his symptoms and serves as an Honorary Board
Member.

VIDEO: SCOTT ADAMS AND DYSTONIA

Scott Adams Talks his First E…

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