A movement disorder like tardive dyskinesia is known to be difficult and very frustrating to live with. People of African descent, females (especially post-menopausal women), older adults over the age of 55, and people who abuse alcohol or drugs have a higher risk of developing tardive dyskinesia. Now I know you may be thinking, how so, right? Well, experts believe that factors behind this particular movement disorder are related to health disparities, genetics, and sensitivity to certain medications. Take into account that Black individuals are by far more likely to be prescribed medications that can cause tardive dyskinesia than white people.
Tardive dyskinesia is a drug-induced movement disorder, meaning it is a side effect of antipsychotic medication (drugs used to treat mental health disorders, like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder). With tardive dyskinesia, a person will experience sudden, repetitive, uncontrollable movements that happen in the face and throughout the body.
So what exactly contributes to this movement disorder? Prolonged (months or years) use of a certain medication. As I’ve mentioned before, these are typically antipsychotic drugs. These are medications that block the activity of the chemical messenger (neurotransmitter) dopamine in the brain. When they block the brain chemical dopamine, it causes a negative reaction. Movements then become uncontrollable.
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Two types of uncontrollable movements may occur. Orofacial dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements in your face) and dyskinesia of the limbs (uncontrolled movements in your arms, legs, toes, fingers, and torso). These movements can be slow or fast. Also, symptoms of tardive dyskinesia might not appear until months or even years after a person starts taking antipsychotic medicine, so sometimes it may be hard to diagnose.
What are the signs of uncontrollable movements?
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Abnormal/uncontrolled facial movements. These symptoms include:
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- Blinking eyes rapidly
- Grunting
- Puffing out cheeks
- Chewing motions
- Smacking or puckering your lips
- Sticking out tongue
- Poking tongue into the inside of the cheek
- Frowning
Abnormal/uncontrolled movements affecting the legs, arms, and torso. These symptoms include:
- Tapping the feet
- Rocking pelvis back and forth
- Swaying from side to side
- Wiggling or tapping fingers
- Waving or flapping arms without meaning to do so
I’ve got good news, there’s hope! There are multiple ways to take back control of uncontrolled movements. With drug and non-drug techniques. Some will gradually improve/lessen your uncontrolled movements and some will help within a few weeks.
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How to stop uncontrollable movements
Here are six practical tips for taking back control of uncontrolled movements:
- Lowering the dosage or stopping the current medication altogether. By doing so, symptoms will tend to lessen gradually.
- Add another medication. Consider FDA-approved medications such as Valbenazine and Deutetrabenazine. These medications specifically treat tardive dyskinesia by counteracting the movements and regulating the amount of dopamine flow in brain areas that control certain kinds of movements.
- Practice stress reduction techniques. Meditation and mindfulness-based stress management/reduction techniques will help to calm your mind and body.
- Reduce your caffeine intake. The effect that caffeine has on dopamine (a neurotransmitter) may make the uncontrolled movements worse. So by reducing the amount of caffeine that you intake, it may reduce the movements.
- Get enough sleep. Healthy sleep habits are beneficial to and for the body. A good night’s sleep translates to your body functioning properly.
- Get botox injections. These injections block facial nerve signals for months at a time. The injections may significantly reduce any movement.
Living with a movement disorder
If you or your child has a movement disorder, it’s essential to advocate for the best medical care available. This advocacy helps ensure the highest quality of life possible. Additionally, you and your family may want to consider joining a support group to connect with others who share similar experiences.
When to see a doctor
It is important to see a healthcare provider anytime you experience changes in your usual movement or if you encounter issues that affect your daily activities. The sooner your provider can diagnose a movement disorder, the quicker you can begin treatment.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, if you have a movement disorder, you should also seek care when:
- You have a scheduled appointment with your healthcare team:** Attending these appointments allows your team to monitor your condition and suggest adjustments to your treatment that may be beneficial.
- You notice changes in your symptoms:** Any alterations in your symptoms can provide valuable information for your healthcare team as they manage your care.
- You experience side effects or changes in treatment effectiveness:** Finding the right treatment can take time, and medication may become less effective as time goes on. Be sure to inform your team if your treatment isn’t working or if you experience bothersome side effects.
Your healthcare team can also inform you about other warning signs that indicate you should see them promptly or seek immediate medical care.
I hope you gained some insight from these practical tips on taking back control of uncontrollable movements. To note, if you are taking antipsychotic medication to treat a mental health disorder of any kind, you should request that your doctor test/give you a physical exam at least once a year to make sure you don’t have tardive dyskinesia. The AIMS test (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale) will help to rate/determine any abnormal movements. If you’re in search of a new or culturally sensitive doctor, use our free doctor search.
