Tardive Dyskinesia

Tardive Dyskinesia, meaning delayed abnormal movement, is a disorder in which involuntary and purposeless movements occur. Some common movements related to the disorder include tongue protrusion, rapid eye blinking, face grimacing, and lip smacking or puckering. While other areas of the body may be affected, the disorder generally affects only the facial area. Tardive Dyskinesia is often misunderstood, but is traced back to antipsychotic-induced dopamine super-sensitivity. Frequently, it appears in individuals who use high doses or have a long-term history of antipsychotic drugs. Once this disorder develops fully it is irreversible, but if caught early, the disorder can be treated by reducing the dose or discontinuing the use of antipsychotics or with dopamine-depleting medications.