Part 14 | DYSTONIA AND MENTAL HEALTH | Marjan Jahanshahi

Professor Emeritus Marjan Jahanshahi UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology London, UK Dystonia and Mental Health Dystonia is a chronic disorder that can have a negative impact on the daily activities and quality of life of people with the illness. Depression and anxiety are common mental health problems in dystonia. A negative body image, self-blame and lack of satisfaction are some of the features of depression in dystonia. In certain types of dystonia such as cervical dystonia, the visible ‘disfigurement’ can, on the one hand, give rise to a negative body image, low self-esteem, and depression and on the other hand lead to perceived stigma, social embarrassment and social avoidance. Research evidence suggests that factors such as the individual’s attitude to the illness, coping strategies used, and social support are important in determining how people adjust to a chronic illness such as dystonia. Based on this research evidence, I will present some common-sense approaches that people with dystonia can use for self-management of their illness and to overcome mental health problems and live and cope well with dystonia. Social media: FACEBOOK | www.facebook.com/dystonia.europe/ INSTAGRAM | @dystoniaeurope TWITTER | @dystoniaeurope WEBSITE | www.dystonia-europe.org Inquiries: [email protected]

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