Symptoms of Huntington's Disease

Symptoms are mild at first and are often barely noticeable, but usually worsen over 15-20 years.

Physical symptoms may include:

• Abnormal body movements that worsen over time, including:
  • Sudden jerks or uncontrolled movements of the limbs or trunk
  • Facial grimacing
  • Continuous need to turn head and shift gaze
  • Walking that is unsteady or dance-like
• Difficulty with eating, dressing, sitting, and caring for oneself
• Difficulty swallowing
• Grunting or poor articulation of speech
• Weight Loss

Intellectual and emotional symptoms may include:

• Trouble with attention and awareness
• Confusion or disorientation
• Loss of memory
• Loss of judgment
• Loss of ability to think rationally
• Irritability and moodiness
• Depression (common)
• Anxiety
• Social withdrawal or antisocial behavior
• Irresponsible behavior
• Obsessive-compulsive behavior
• Personality changes
• Psychosis-a severe emotional and behavioral disorder that often interferes with a person's ability to relate to others and to function in daily life
• Paranoia-a mental disorder that involves feelings of being watched, followed, or harmed by others
• Hallucinations-the perception of a thing or person that is not present

Ultimately, HD can:

• Cause the loss of the physical and mental ability to care for oneself
• Cause severe disability, making full-time or nursing home care necessary
• Result in death, often due to a fall or pneumonia