How can someone at 62 manage severe tardive dyskinesia?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father is 62 years old and has had tardive dyskinesia for more than 10 years after long-term use of psychiatric medication. He experiences constant involuntary mouth movements, facial twitching, and occasional jerking movements in his hands, which have become socially embarrassing and emotionally distressing.

Though he has stabilized in regards to his mental disorder, the movements have never completely improved, despite his medications having been adjusted.

How can someone at 62 manage severe tardive dyskinesia that has persisted for many years?
Are there newer treatments that can still improve symptoms even after such a long duration?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.

Tardive dyskinesia is a difficult-to-treat and often irreversible condition involving involuntary movements that can occur after prolonged use of antipsychotic medications, especially high-potency ones.

The disorder frequently leads to involuntary movements of the mouth, tongue, face, lips, jaw, and limbs that can greatly impact self-confidence, psychological well-being, and social relations, as exemplified by your father’s condition.

Management of tardive dyskinesia usually involves changing from high-potency to low-potency antipsychotics, adjusting medication doses, or adding certain medications such as Clonazepam.

There are also newer treatments like Valbenazine and Deutetrabenazine that can help manage tardive dyskinesia symptoms.

Given that your father has experienced these symptoms for many years, follow-up care by a psychiatrist or neurologist would be helpful in order to check the progress of the disease and make any necessary changes in the treatment regimen. It may even help to manage his symptoms better, given that stress, fatigue, and anxiety may make these symptoms worse.

Physical therapy, relaxing exercises, and speech therapy may also prove beneficial if the movements hinder normal activities or conversation. Even in cases where there have been symptoms for years, new drugs could prove beneficial.

I would recommend consulting a psychiatrist in person or through this platform to better understand what treatment options may help your father.

I hope I have answered your question.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.