TD Awareness Week is an opportunity to increase knowledge about tardive dyskinesia, an often misunderstood and stigmatized condition. Here are some ideas for advocacy.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is an involuntary movement disorder that can develop as a side effect of long-term use of certain medications, especially antipsychotics. It causes repetitive and uncontrollable muscle movements such as lip smacking, chewing, and jerking of the hands or legs. Advanced TD symptoms can make it hard for people to speak, swallow, or breathe.
TD is associated with dopamine antagonists (drugs that block or reduce dopamine transmission in the brain). Examples of these medications are antipsychotics used to treat mental health conditions and some antiemetics that
While TD is connected to medication use, stopping the related medication does not always make the movements go away. In fact, a person can receive a formal TD diagnosis
The symptoms of TD can be overwhelming, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. In a 2023 survey of people with TD, 73.5% of respondents who had jobs said that the condition negatively affected their work. More than one-third of all respondents stopped or reduced their use of antipsychotic medication because of TD symptoms.
Despite its potentially challenging impact, TD is not widely known. TD Awareness Week, which occurs in May each year, aims to increase understanding of TD to improve the lives of people with the condition.
Here are some ways you can get involved in TD Awareness Week.
Consider volunteering at a local event to raise awareness of TD. Organizers typically share information about volunteer opportunities online or in promotional materials.
To find events, you can connect with nearby community health clinics or mental health support networks.
Another option is to check with your local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness or Mental Health America to find events near you.
Educating yourself is the first step toward understanding the condition, recognizing its symptoms, and advocating for better care for yourself or someone you love.
TD is not a widely known condition. While the prevalence of TD is not known, some studies report that up to 1 in 3 people who take an antipsychotic medication to treat a mental health condition, such as schizophrenia, may experience TD.
You can learn more about TD from trusted sources, such as healthcare professionals, medical websites, or advocacy organizations.
The National Organization for Tardive Dyskinesia (NOTD) also offers valuable resources, support, and up-to-date information about the condition.
Consider using your social media accounts to spread the word before and during TD Awareness Week.
The Movement Disorders Policy Coalition (MDPC) has several shareable images designed for social media posts and photo frames to use in profiles on Facebook or X to show support for TD awareness.
Consider posting informative messages with the hashtags #TDAwarenessWeek and #Screen4TD.
Consider engaging with your professional community, personal networks, and friends during TD Awareness Week. Your workplace might have an initiative to bring attention to charities or causes, such as including information about the cause in a company newsletter.
Your local gym or community center might have a bulletin board where you can post notices or materials, including flyers for TD Awareness Week events.
You can even buy a fundraising t-shirt from the NOTD and wear it proudly.
Each year, in advance of TD Awareness Week, NOTD travels to Washington to meet with members of Congress who are involved with forming health policy.
They discuss the unique issues that affect people with TD and inform representatives about the condition’s impact of TD on quality of life. They also advocate for funding and research, including better access to treatment and services for people living with TD.
The NOTD shares personal stories and data to influence health policy and ensure that TD is part of larger conversations about mental health and movement disorders.
You can join the organization’s efforts by sending messages of support to your local members of Congress. The Congress website has a tool that allows you to search by address to find local representatives.
Consider hosting a get-together in honor of TD Awareness Week. A luncheon, cocktail party, or other gathering is a great place for people to socialize and learn more about the condition.
May is springtime in many states. A low-key outdoor picnic, barbeque, or musical performance could be uplifting and informative. NOTD and MDPC can provide resources about TD to help you educate people about the condition at these events.
TD Awareness Week is an opportunity to increase community knowledge about tardive dyskinesia, a condition that often causes physical and emotional challenges for those who experience it.
By taking small steps where you can, you may be able to contribute to a better quality of life for those who live with TD.