Can I improve my facial movements at 40 from TD?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 40-year-old woman who has developed involuntary facial and mouth movements after taking an antidepressant for a long time. My doctor mentioned it could be tardive dyskinesia, and I am very embarrassed and worried it might be permanent.

If I stop the medicine, can these movements go away?
Are there any treatments that can reverse or control them?
I have noticed that stress and lack of sleep seem to make it worse. Is that common?
Also, are women more likely to get this side effect?
Are there any newer medications available that can help manage these symptoms effectively?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

What you are describing does sound like tardive dyskinesia (TD), a movement disorder that can develop after long-term use of certain psychiatric medications, including some antidepressants. It causes involuntary movements of the face, mouth, or tongue, and it’s completely understandable to feel distressed or embarrassed by this.

Can it improve?

Yes. In many cases, tardive dyskinesia (TD) can partially or fully improve once the medication is reduced or stopped, though it may take several weeks to months. In some instances, movements may persist, which is why early recognition and proper management are important.

As for the treatment options, you can go for

VMAT2 (vesicular monoamine transporter 2) inhibitors such as Valbenazine and Deutetrabenazine are newer medicines specifically approved for tardive dyskinesia (TD). They can significantly reduce abnormal movements in most patients.
Adjusting or switching psychiatric medications to ones with a lower risk of causing tardive dyskinesia (TD) may help.
Lifestyle measures like physiotherapy, relaxation techniques, and good sleep can also reduce symptom severity.

Stress, fatigue, and lack of sleep can make involuntary movements worse, so maintaining a calm routine and adequate rest is important.

As for the gender factor, women, particularly postmenopausal women, are slightly more prone to developing tardive dyskinesia (TD), and longer durations of medication use increase the risk.

And please note not to stop your antidepressant suddenly. Speak with your psychiatrist or neurologist about safely tapering your medication and exploring treatment options like VMAT2 (vesicular monoamine transporter 2) inhibitors. With the right plan, tardive dyskinesia (TD) can often be managed effectively, helping you regain control and confidence.

I hope this answers your query.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.