Guide To Diagnosing, Preventing, And Treating Tardive Dyskinesia

Use The Lowest Dosage Of Medication Possible

As this condition is a complication of medications, some affected individuals may ease their symptoms if they use the lowest dosage of medication possible. Antipsychotics treat mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder. Tardive dyskinesia typically only occurs in individuals taking these medications for three months or longer. The chances of developing this condition increase the longer an individual takes these medications. Also, the older medications cause it more often than the newer ones. Common medications that cause this disorder include prochlorperazine and thioridazine.

One of the first methods used to improve symptoms is to lower the dose of the medicine causing them. Patients should not taper off these medications without direction from a doctor. The reason is that doing so can be very dangerous and cause withdrawal symptoms. Using the lowest effective dose is also effective at preventing this condition from occurring.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep brain stimulation involves doctors implanting electrodes to specific areas of the patient's brain. These regulate abnormal movements and other responses through electrical impulses. These impulses may also affect some chemicals and brain cells. Thankfully, this treatment is controllable. Patients will have a device similar to a pacemaker under their skin in their upper chest. A wire will connect the device to the electrodes and deliver the pulses at the chosen strength.

This is a common treatment for Parkinson's disease. It is used to ease symptoms, specifically uncontrollable movements. It also reduces medication reliance. These two elements are part of why deep brain stimulation is an emerging treatment for tardive dyskinesia. It may help patients who must still take their medication for other conditions since it can reduce reliance.