Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Condition – Diana’s Story
Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Condition – Diana’s Story
Diana is from Arizona and cares for her adult son, Jeff. Jeff experienced a lot of mental health challenges early in his life and was eventually diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. She is a long-distance caregiver, with Jeff living in another state, and she noticed the symptoms of TD when Jeff came to visit. Diana shares their journey to a diagnosis and how Jeff was relieved to be able to put a name to Jeff’s symptoms.
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a condition that many family caregivers haven’t even heard of when their loved one gets a diagnosis. So, what is TD?
It is described as involuntary movements – mild, moderate, or severe – in different parts of the body. These movements can occur in the limbs, torso, jaw, tongue, and/or eyes. TD develops in individuals who are prescribed certain mental health medications (called antipsychotics) that are used to treat:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Anxiety
Caring for a loved one with TD has its own set of unique challenges. These videos highlight the stories of different caregivers and their loved ones living with TD.
