Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Condition – Ruth’s Story
Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Condition – Ruth’s Story
Ruth is from Massachusetts and cares for her mom with TD and bipolar disorder. She shares how the stigma of TD has impacted her mom and how finding being able to continue enjoying the small moments with her mom, and share in laughter, has kept them going. She encourages other caregivers to find a support group, as it can help with feeling isolated and alone.
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.
