Uncontrollable movements from tardive dyskinesia (TD) can put a strain on your daily life, physically and mentally. Developing a stress management routine, employing social strategies, and seeking mental health support can all help.
TD is a neurological disorder caused by the long-term use of dopamine-blocking medications. These medications, particularly antipsychotics used to treat conditions like schizophrenia, can cause erratic signaling in the parts of your brain responsible for motor function.
Not everyone who takes antipsychotics or dopamine-blocking medications will develop TD, and TD can affect each person differently.
Some prescription medications can help reduce symptoms of TD but won’t make them go away completely. Medications don’t work for everyone, and some people might not be able to tolerate their side effects.
Even if a medication is helping reduce your TD symptoms, it’s helpful to consider coping skills as you manage any remaining symptoms of TD.
It’s natural to feel self-conscious and frustrated with TD symptoms like lip smacking, sticking out your tongue, grimacing, and jerking limbs, but there are also strategies to help you cope.
If you’ve received a diagnosis of TD, learning more about it can help you feel empowered and in control of your condition.
When you expand your understanding of something, it helps reduce the unknowns and uncertainty that contribute to feelings of fear or anxiety.
The more in control you feel and the more you know what to expect, the less likely you’ll be caught off-guard by wayward TD symptoms.
You’re not alone in your TD diagnosis. TD affects approximately
Many people experience TD as a side effect of medication used to treat movement disorders, mood disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders. This means that TD is not a “giveaway” of which medications you’re taking or your underlying medical condition.
Support groups — in person or virtual — are an opportunity to connect with others who share your lived experience with TD. You can share coping strategies, learn what’s worked and what hasn’t, and find camaraderie and comfort in knowing someone truly understands what you’re going through.
Support groups offer a safe space where you can be yourself, unafraid to let your guard down or let TD symptoms show.
One area where self-consciousness can be heightened is in social situations.
A 2023 research survey including 269 people with TD found that three-quarters of them reported it severely impacted them physically, psychologically, and socially. It prevented them from doing things they enjoyed, joining activities, socializing with friends and family, or appearing on video.
Being stared at, asked what was wrong, and being told to stop moving were among the reactions they reported experiencing in social settings.
While treatment can help lessen the severity of TD symptoms, having a few social strategies on hand can help you navigate group settings. Things to try include:
- using gestures regularly in conversation to distract from involuntary movements
- suggesting quieter, less crowded meeting places to reduce crowd anxiety
- chewing gum or eating candy to minimize facial movements
- holding a fidget item
- changing positions from sitting to standing or walking to make movements less noticeable
Living with a chronic health condition is stressful for many people. Results from a 2023 survey with 162 caregivers found the majority of people living with TD reported sometimes or often feeling:
- sad or unhappy
- irritable, frustrated, or angry
- tired
- low energy
- anxious or worried
- embarrassed
- shy
- low self-esteem
Incorporating stress management into your life can help you cope with feeling self-conscious about your TD symptoms.
How you manage stress is very individual. Including activities you enjoy is best. Examples of things to try include:
- meditation
- exercise
- improving sleep quality and quantity
- reading
- art
- mind-body techniques, like yoga
- breathing exercises
- grounding
- guided imagery
- self-care
Even with helpful management strategies, living with TD can sometimes feel overwhelming, and it can have widespread effects on your life.
It’s never too soon to speak with a mental health care professional about how you’re feeling. Therapists can help you identify and sort your feelings. They can help you develop beneficial coping strategies and helpful patterns of thinking and behaving.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a neurological disorder brought on by the long-term use of medications that block dopamine, such as antipsychotics. While treatable, TD can have significant physical and mental effects on your everyday life.
It’s natural to feel self-conscious about uncontrollable movements caused by TD. Joining support groups, developing strategies for social situations, and focusing on stress management can help.
Chronic medical conditions can be stressful, and it’s always OK to speak with a mental health professional about life with TD.