I am 28, female. How to manage jaw and finger twitching?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 28-year-old woman taking antipsychotic medication for bipolar disorder. Lately, I have noticed twitching in my jaw and fingers that I cannot control. My doctor said it might be tardive dyskinesia.

Is this permanent? Are there treatments to reverse it? Can stress or hormones make it worse? I am also worried about social embarrassment and how it affects work.

Are some antipsychotics safer for women? Please explain in simple terms what I can do to manage this and prevent it from getting worse.

Kindly advise.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand how distressing these new movements can feel, both physically and emotionally. Let me try to explain what is happening.

The twitching in your jaw and fingers could be a condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD), a side effect that sometimes occurs after long-term use of antipsychotic medications. TD happens because antipsychotics affect dopamine, a brain chemical that controls movement. Over time, the brain can become overly sensitive to dopamine, leading to involuntary movements such as twitching, grimacing, or finger movements.

The condition is not always permanent. In many people, especially when detected early, these movements improve or even disappear after adjusting medication. Your current medication and dosage should be reviewed. If possible, we may reduce the dose or switch to a safer antipsychotic. There are also specific medications approved for TD that help calm abnormal movements by balancing dopamine activity.

Additional supportive measures:

Physiotherapy and facial relaxation exercises may help reduce visible movements.
Avoid stimulants like caffeine or nicotine if they worsen the movements.
Stress, anxiety, fatigue, and hormonal changes (for example, during menstruation or menopause) can temporarily make the movements more noticeable. Relaxation practices, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, yoga, or gentle stretching, can help calm the nervous system and lessen twitching.
Never stop medication suddenly, as this can worsen symptoms or trigger a mood relapse.
Maintain adequate sleep, hydration, and nutrition.

Many people feel embarrassed or anxious about these movements. Please connect with me for a call so we can discuss strategies to manage symptoms in social situations.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.