Frequently asked questions about tardive dyskinesia (TD)

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a condition in which people taking or who have taken certain mental health medicines (antipsychotics) for a long period of time experience uncontrollable movements in different parts of their bodies.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) movements can occur in one or more spots of the body and are often seen in the lips, jaw, tongue, and eyes. They can also affect other parts of the body, including the upper body, arms, hands, legs, and feet. TD movements may look like uncontrollable face twitching, involuntary eye movements, darting tongue, piano fingers, clenched jaw, rocking torso, and gripping feet.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) movements may:

• Be rapid and jerky, or slow and writhing
• Occur in a repetitive, continuous, or random pattern
• Present as face twitching, involuntary eye movements, darting tongue, piano fingers, clenched jaw, rocking torso, and gripping feet
• Become worse with stress

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is primarily caused by long-term use of antipsychotic medications, which is thought to cause too much dopamine activity in the brain.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is caused by long-term use of certain mental health medicines (antipsychotics) that treat conditions such as:

• Depression
• Bipolar disorder
• Schizophrenia
• Schizoaffective disorder

Certain prescription medicines (metoclopramide and prochlorperazine) used to treat gastrointestinal disorders may also cause TD.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is typically diagnosed by conducting a physical exam to observe your movements, as well as checking your history of using certain medications like antipsychotics. A psychiatrist, neurologist, or other healthcare provider experienced with diagnosing and treating TD can determine if uncontrollable movements are TD.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is thought to be caused by too much dopamine signaling in the brain. A goal of TD treatment is to reduce extra dopamine signaling and TD movements. The type of prescription medicine recommended to treat TD is a VMAT2 inhibitor.

These medicines are thought to reduce extra dopamine signaling in the brain. Not all VMAT2 inhibitors are the same, so it's important to understand your options and talk to your doctor about your treatment preferences. Together, you can create a treatment plan that is best for you and your goals.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is treated by neurologists, movement disorder specialists, psychiatrists, and other healthcare providers who have experience treating TD.

Unfortunately, most cases of tardive dyskinesia (TD) are chronic, meaning they won't go away on their own. However, there are treatments available that treat TD and can help reduce uncontrollable movements.