Getting a good night of sleep is an important part of managing your dystonia. It can boost your ability to cope and improve your physical wellness. But many people living with dystonia experience insomnia and difficulty with sleep.

Access to good quality sleep and support with sleep difficulties is an
 important part of living well with dystonia.

Sleep problems may be caused by muscle spasms, discomfort, or other non-motor symptoms. This can be very challenging as tiredness and stress are known to make symptoms worse.

Treating sleep problems in dystonia

Treating sleep problems may include learning new sleep habits, such as building a routine around sleep, and understanding your individual sleep cycles. It is important to follow general best practice sleep tips and tricks including:

• Keeping a consistent sleep schedule where possible
• Making your bedroom comfortable: cool, dark and quiet
• Avoiding stimulants like caffeine late in the day

You may find it helpful to address anxiety or stress before bed - relaxation techniques like meditation or mindfulness can help calm the mind and body.

Lots of people living with dystonia also find pillow arrangement and positioning especially important to reduce discomfort.

If sleep remains a problem for you, it is important to talk to your clinical team. They can help identify whether symptoms, medication, or other issues are interfering with rest.

More support

You can watch a recording of a webinar we hosted with Dr Kathryn Peall (MRC Clinician-Scientist Fellow and Honorary Consultant Neurologist, Cardiff University) and Vicki Beevers (CEO of The Sleep Charity).

The webinar was created to focus solely on sleep and dystonia and included a presentation around general knowledge of sleep, tips and tricks, and best practice, and also answered questions about the best way to get a better night's sleep.