Microsoft word - understanding tardive dyskinesia 2012.doc

Contents

What is tardive dyskinesia?
What might affect the risk of me getting TD? Will TD disappear if I stop my medication? Understanding tardive dyskinesia (TD)
This booklet explains what tardive dyskinesia is, the risks of developing it
and how it might be managed. It is for people who are experiencing TD,
or who are worried about developing it because they are taking
antipsychotic drugs. It is also for their friends and family.
What is tardive dyskinesia?

The name tardive dyskinesia (TD) is used to describe the involuntary sudden jerky or slow
twisting movements of the face and/or body caused mainly by antipsychotic drugs (also
called neuroleptics). It may also be a side effect of drugs used to treat illnesses of the
nervous system or stomach and gut disorders.
Dyskinesia literally means ‘trouble with movement’; ‘tardive’ means delayed or late-
appearing, and reflects the fact that it’s a side effect that does not usually appear until you
have been taking the drugs for some time.
Antipsychotic (or neuroleptic) drugs are used to treat symptoms of psychosis, which usually
occur in schizophrenia, and sometimes in other conditions including bipolar disorder (manic
depression) and severe depression. (See Mind’s booklets Understanding schizophrenia,
Understanding bipolar disorder, Understanding depression, Understanding psychotic
experiences and Making sense of antipsychotics.)

"Within weeks of starting my first anti-psychotic I began to suffer with TD. I had tremors
and shakes. I didn't know what was going on, as my psychiatrist never told me that this
might happen. My GP finally explained to me."

Dyskinesia occasionally occurs in people who have never been treated with antipsychotic
medication, some of whom may have a close relative (parent or brother or sister) with
schizophrenia.

What does TD look like?

If you have TD you are likely to have repetitive, involuntary muscle contractions that force
parts of your face or body into abnormal, and sometimes painful, movements or positions.
It usually begins with small movements in your face and mouth, and includes lip-smacking,
tongue movements and rapid blinking and twitching. It may also involve any part of the rest
of your body, sometimes including the vocal cords – which may affect your speech.
The movements may make you grimace, or make gestures, tics and twisting movements.
Your fingers may move as though you are playing an invisible guitar or piano.
"One of the main symptoms of TD that I have is tremors in my hands and lower arms. As I
am an artist, this is very difficult for me to cope with because it limits the opportunities that I
have to create artwork, as I have an unsteady hand."

TD is socially disabling and can make you feel very self-conscious.
". I have a twitch in the muscle at the outer side of my eye. It looks like a wink. I find it
embarrassing and will often not leave the house if it is really pronounced as I am so self-
conscious."

At its worst, TD may sometimes make it difficult to do ordinary physical tasks, but it is rare
for someone to be as badly affected as this.
What might affect the risk of me getting TD?

Antipsychotics

TD used to be mainly associated with the older antipsychotic drugs such as chlorpromazine
(Largactil) and haloperidol (Haldol, Dozic, Serenace), which also cause the side effects that
mimic Parkinson’s disease – shaking, stiffness, shuffling walk and restless legs.
When the newer antipsychotic drugs, such as olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel)
and risperidone (Risperdal) were developed, researchers intended that they would be less
likely to cause Parkinson’s symptoms, and hoped that they would therefore be less likely to
cause TD. But, although the newer drugs have different side effects, recent evidence
suggests that TD may occur with all antipsychotics, especially if you take them at high doses
for a long time.
Using the lowest possible dose of antipsychotic reduces the risk.

How long you take antipsychotics for

TD mainly occurs:
 If you have been on moderate-to-high doses for periods of six months to two years  If you are on depot preparations (slow-release formulations of drugs given as
It rarely occurs if you have been taking low doses for less than six months, though there
have been a few reports of TD occurring when low doses were prescribed for relatively short
periods.
Stopping and starting antipsychotics may contribute to the risk of TD persisting once it has
developed (also see ‘Will TD disappear if I stop my medication?’).

For more information on antipsychotic drugs, see Mind’s booklet Making sense of
antipsychotics.
Parkinson’s symptoms and drugs

If you have the Parkinson’s-type side effects of antipsychotics or the extreme restlessness
that is called ‘akathisia’ you are more likely to develop TD. You are also likely to be given
anti-Parkinson’s drugs, and use of these is also associated with the development of TD. Anti-
Parkinson’s drugs should not be given routinely to people taking antipsychotics, but only if
the Parkinson’s symptoms are very troublesome.

Your sex and age
The risk of developing TD is higher for women, children, and older people.
Your genes
Although it is currently not possible to predict who is at risk of getting TD if they take
antipsychotics, some people seem to be more vulnerable than others. Research is beginning
to show that there may be genetic links, which may mean that people at risk can be
identified in the future. The evidence suggests that people from African and Caribbean ethnic
heritage may be more vulnerable to TD than those from a white European one. TD also
seems more likely to occur in people who have a family history of schizophrenia.

Will TD disappear if I stop my medication?

TD may disappear if it is identified early and you stop taking the medication, but in some
people it does not go away. Symptoms will improve in about half of patients who stop taking
antipsychotics at any time, although they may not improve immediately, and may take up to
five years to go.
If you are going to stop medication, it may be best to reduce the dose gradually, especially if
you have been taking it for a long time. It is possible that you will only get TD when you
start to come off the drug, and in this case you may decide it is better to keep taking it.
In some cases, you may not be able to stop your medication, and you may need to balance
the risk of relapse of your original condition, or having a psychotic episode, against the risk
of TD.
Sometimes you may get a movement disorder when you stop the drugs which is specifically
caused by drug withdrawal, and this will usually get better with time.
It is important to talk to your doctor as soon as you suspect you may be developing TD, to
discuss what your options are. It may also be helpful to talk to a pharmacist.
(For more information, see Mind’s booklet Making sense of coming off psychiatric drugs.)
What else can I do if TD appears?

If you are taking anti-Parkinson’s drugs for the adverse effects of the antipsychotics, then
you could consider stopping these (see ‘Parkinson’s symptoms and drugs’ on p. 5).
There is evidence that each of the following may help:
 Clonazepam (a benzodiazepine tranquilliser used in epilepsy). This would have to
 Vitamin E and Vitamin B6, which you can buy for yourself and take according to
 Ginkgo biloba, a herbal medicine which you can buy for yourself and take according
to the instructions on the package. You might want to talk to a qualified herbalist for more information about this and other herbs.  Melatonin; this is licensed for insomnia and your doctor may be willing to prescribe

The most important thing you can do if you detect signs of TD is to seek help as soon as
possible. The sooner you do, the better the chance you have of reducing the risk of it
continuing.
How can friends and family help?
This section is for friends or relatives who would like to help someone with, or at potential
risk of, tardive dyskinesia.

If your friend or relative has recently started taking antipsychotic medication, you can help
by being aware of the early signs of TD (facial tics or tongue movements as described on p.
3) and letting them know if you think they are showing these. As early detection is important
for reducing the possibility that TD will continue, it’s important to say something, even
though you may not want to worry the person or make them self-conscious.
If you, or they, think that they may be developing TD, it is important that they get medical
advice about this as soon as possible. You can help by supporting them in this, and in
stopping the medication and finding alternatives, if that is their decision.
If the TD continues, they are likely to feel embarrassed and self-conscious. You can help by
encouraging them to continue with a social life, and go to activities and events they enjoy;
perhaps going with them if that’s what they would like. TD is unlikely to be so severe that
they need physical help, although this may happen in some cases. Emotional support and
encouragement will probably be the most valuable thing you can give them.
Useful contacts
Mind
Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393
(Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm)
email: [email protected]
web: www.mind.org.uk
Details of local Minds and other local services, and Mind’s Legal Advice Line.
Language Line is available for talking in a language other than English.
Dystonia Society
helpline: 0845 458 6322
web: www.dystonia.org.uk
For people with dystonia (a condition dominated by involuntary sustained muscle spasms) –
may provide useful support.
National Institute of Medical Herbalists
web: www.nimh.org.uk
To find a qualified herbalist.


Mind

We’re Mind, the mental health charity for England and Wales.
We believe no one should have to face a mental health problem
alone. We’re here for you. Today. Now. We’re on your doorstep,
on the end of a phone or online. Whether you’re stressed,
depressed or in crisis. We’ll listen, give you advice, support and
fight your corner. And we’ll push for a better deal and respect
for everyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Published by Mind 2012 Mind
To be revised 2014
This booklet was written by Katherine Darton, Mind
Mind (National Association for Mental Health)
15–19 Broadway
London E15 4BQ
tel: 020 8519 2122
fax: 020 8522 1725
web: www.mind.org.uk

Source: http://www.mind.org.uk/media/46939/understanding_tardive_dyskinesia_2012.pdf