Experiences of living with dystonia.

Conclusion: Coping with a rare and chronic condition led to participants feeling isolated and stigmatised by health care services and their communities. Participants were able to overcome this challenge to their identities through the use of social support, particularly from other people with dystonia. Recommendations for reducing the stigmatising experiences of people with dystonia can help to ease the process of adjustment to the illness and enable people to pursue meaningful lives and positive identities. Recommendations for research are aimed at increasing knowledge about these processes. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION Dystonia has a pervasive, negative impact on the lives of people with the condition. The struggle for diagnosis marks the beginning of a period of psychological adjustment, the difficulty of which is compounded by social isolation and stigma. Support groups and peer interaction help people to integrate dystonia into their concept of a meaningful life and identity. Health professionals should play a pivotal role in assisting patients during the process of adjustment and on-going self-management through sensitive communication and signposting to wider support services. PMID: 31370703 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Disability and Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Authors: Tags: Disabil Rehabil Source Type: research