Symptoms
Tardive Dyskinesia is characterized by involuntary and repetitive movements. These include:
- Lip smacking
- Lip puckering and pursing
- Grimacing
- Sticking the tongue out
- Rapid eye blinking; rapid movements of the arms, legs and trunk
- In severe cases, swaying of the hips or pelvic thrusts; speech difficulties; respiratory issues
Diagnosis & Treatment
Other neurological conditions, like Parksinson’s disease, stroke and Huntington’s disease are also characterized by uncontrollable body movements. Ongoing professional evaluation of those taking medications is necessary to properly diagnose TD. A standardized rating scale, “The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale,” is used by most psychiatrists to screen for TD at least once annually.
There is not a specific medication that can cure TD. Prevention of TD is ideal, so speak with your doctor immediately if symptoms are present. If TD is confirmed, medication dosage may be decreased or patient may be switched to a different one.Other drugs such as benzodiazepines, adrenergic antagonists, and dopamine agonists may also help.
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