I have a family member who was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder over twenty-seven years ago. Throughout the years, he has developed an involuntary neurological disorder called “Tardive Dyskinesia” that is frequently referred to as TD. This is an irregular movement that affects mostly the face. Unfortunately, many areas of the body can also be affected by tardive dyskinesia. TD can affect other parts of the body, such as your eyes, lips, arms, and legs, etc.

At first, I noticed he had an exceedingly challenging time just sitting and staying focused. However, during a short period of time, I started to notice that my family member had other symptoms that were associated with tardive dyskinesia, including lip smacking, touching his forehead continually, moving his legs back and forth, being unable to sit still for long periods, and blinking his eyes rapidly. There are many other symptoms associated with TD. Note: It is especially important to remember that TD is treatable.

In public, people would often stare and make fun of him. It is heartbreaking to see any individual diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia shunned and continually made fun of. Other individuals need to understand that anyone affected by tardive dyskinesia has no control over their body movements. Studies have shown that tardive dyskinesia is mostly caused by diverse types of antipsychotic medications used to treat symptoms associated with individuals who have been diagnosed with a mental illness.

However, not only are there medications used to treat psychiatric disorders that can cause tardive dyskinesia, but several medications used to treat other neurological disorders and gastrointestinal disorders can also cause tardive dyskinesia symptoms. It is unknown why some individuals develop TD while others do not show signs of it. The leading cause of tardive dyskinesia is the long-term use of antipsychotic drugs. Unfortunately, reports have shown that some individuals develop TD during a brief period as well.

There are other medications known to cause TD symptoms, such as anti-seizure, anti-nausea, mood stabilizers, some antidepressants, and even some decongestant medications, especially those that contain pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. Studies have shown that Levodopa, often used to treat Parkinson’s disease, can cause TD. Anticonvulsants used to treat epilepsy and even stimulants for ADHD have been known to cause TD in some individuals. Seek medical advice early with symptoms of TD with any medications.

Tardive dyskinesia does not affect every individual in the same manner. It can be anywhere from mild to severe. There are a lot of individuals who are unaware that tardive dyskinesia is treatable. Medication provided may not stop all symptoms, but will often help slow them down, making them manageable. The most important thing to remember is to see your healthcare provider as soon as you can when symptoms first start. Do not put off seeking medical help.

Individuals with TD may have difficulty performing their daily routines due to the severity of their symptoms. This can be anywhere from mild to severe. I have found that most individuals who are aware of their symptoms of TD are often embarrassed or very self-conscious about their unusual body movements. Many individuals refuse to attend family or social functions because of their symptoms. They tend to stay to themselves for fear of humiliation.

It is strongly suggested that any individual on antipsychotic drugs experiencing TD symptoms talk with their healthcare provider. Do not stop taking your medications. Please remember that TD is treatable. Ask your healthcare provider about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which can help manage symptoms associated with TD. There are support groups in some areas that teach coping strategies for individuals with TD symptoms.

 Note: It is particularly important for individuals experiencing TD symptoms, regardless of the medications, to stay up to date with treatments by visiting their healthcare provider regularly. Monitoring and managing TD symptoms early on will help prevent long-term side effects of TD. If you are interested in reading more about TD, then check out this book, “COMPLETE GUIDE TO TARDIVE DYSKINESIA: A Comprehensive Resource For Understanding Causes, Effective Interventions, Treatment Options, And Living Well With Neurological Disorder,” written by Dr.Tristan Holder.

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References:

1.https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6125-tardive-dyskinesia

2. https://www.tardiveimpact.com/what-is-td

3.https://parkinsonsdisease.net/clinical/tardive-dyskinesia

4.https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/tardive-dyskinesia/medications-cause-tardive-dyskinesia

5.https://www.healthline.com/health/treatment-options-tardive-dyskinesia

6.https://www.nami.org/treatments-and-approaches/mental-health-medications/tardive-dyskinesia/