The Flu Vaccine/Dystonia Controversy

You may have seen this video floating around about Desiree Jennings, a 28 year old cheerleader who reportedly had a reaction to the flu vaccine:



I did a little research and here's what I came up with:

The movements and symptoms that Ms. Jennings displays on the public videos I have seen (linked to above) are not compatible with the diagnosis of dystonia, or any other movement disorder. Dystonia is one type of involuntary contraction of muscles. It can be reduced or exacerbated by certain movements or positions, and there are “task specific” dystonia, such as writer’s cramp, that come out only with certain activity. Jennings does not display the type of movements that are consistent with dystonia. Her speech and movement are, however, very suggestive of a psychogenic disorder. . . .

In other words – her symptoms are not neurological, they are psychological. This does not mean she has any insight or voluntary control over her symptoms – they are involuntary and “real” – just not neurological in origin. Symptoms such as this are not uncommon reactions to emotional stress in some individuals. Given the evidence presented, I think this is a reasonable opinion.

-Steven Novella, MD  NeuroLogica Blog

I really feel for this young woman, but it seems the reporters are misinterpreting things.