What is tardive dyskinesia (TD)?
TD is a disorder of the central nervous system, which causes abnormal, uncontrollable, disfiguring, and embarrassing movements. These usually start in the face and mouth, as involuntary tongue movements and slight grimacing. The problem can spread to the rest of the body, with writhing movements in the limbs, muscle spasms, tremors and tics. Most psychiatrists agree that TD is caused by antipsychotics, mainly affecting people who have been taking moderate to high doses for long periods of time, and who have had quite severe Parkinson’s symptoms. It’s rare in someone who has been taking antipsychotics for less than six months, if the doses have been small. It seems that people are more likely to get TD if they get bad Parkinson’s effects. Women, children and older people may be more vulnerable, and possibly those with a mood disorder such as manic depression (bipolar disorder). The problem may not be discovered until after you stop taking the antipsychotics, because they mask the sympto
