This week's chapter discussed mood disorders and a brief explanation on the different psychotropic medications. The book and additional readings mentioned that tardive dyskinesia is a side effect to some of the psychotropic drugs. But what is tardive dyskinesia? Tardive dyskinesia is a condition that is characterized by the involuntary movements and tics of the face, fingers, toes, abdominal region and hips. The repetitive tics cannot be controlled, unlike Parkinson's where the individual finds it difficult to move, individuals with TD find it difficult to not move. Some symptoms are grimacing of the face, repetitive facial tics, contracting muscles of the abdomen, finger movements, tongue thrusting and abnormal jaw movements.
The symptoms are similiar in appearance to tourette's in fact TD can sometimes be misdiagnosed as tourette's. The problem with misdiagnosing TD for tourette's is that the patient may be prescribed psychotropic medications that would make TD worse. TD is primarily caused from taking high doses or long time use of antipsychotic medications; for example Chlorpromazine (Thorazine in the U.S.) is one of many antipsychotic medications. Antipsychotic medications (or nueroleptics) have been known to be used for psychotic conditions like schizophrenia, as well as for other conditions like bipolar disorder for mania.
If TD is recognized early, the symptoms may reverse and stop all together when the medications that are causing TD are discontinued; with doctor's advice of course. However, it is not guaranteed that the TD will stop and reverse. TD can be irreversible in some cases and may even worsen after discontinuing medication. In these cases the involuntary movements are permanent. Attached is a video of what TD looks like. In another class we discussed TD and it left an impression on me. I just wanted to share with you all a little more information on this condition. I hope you found this topic interesting.
***Very important note*** Discontinuing medication without doctor's consent is very dangerous. It is important to consult with your doctor before discontinuing any medications, especially Psychotropic medications.
3 comments:
I use to work with this lady two years ago and she had this eye twitching on one of her eyes. I dont know if it is what you explained in your article, but everytime I saw her she did it. Her eyelid would close and she would even bring her cheek up as if she was winking. I would hate to not have control over a part of my body. That would be horrible.
It is very difficult to think that while you are trying to control one disorder another may present itself and completely change your life forver. Something as outwardly visible as tardive dyskinesia must be difficult to deal with as an individual socially. It is scary to think that while you are overcoming one disorder another obstacle is being produced.
I think that it is a little messed up that these people are taking these medications to cure their disorder and then end up with some other type of problem. I wish medication could just cure and not create other problems. But that would be in a perfect world, and if it were a perfect world we wouldnt have all these illnesses.
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