Tardive Dyskinesia:
What You Need to Know
This hub offers practical resources, educational tools, and real-world support for individuals and families impacted by tardive dyskinesia (TD), especially in rural and underserved communities. Created to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage meaningful conversations, this free program is designed to help people better understand TD and find support.
With generous support from:
Understanding Tardive Dyskinesia
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a condition that causes sudden, involuntary movements of the face, body, or both. These movements can include blinking, grimacing, lip-smacking, or jerking motions of the arms, legs, or torso, and they are not within a person’s control.
TD may develop after taking certain medications – most commonly antipsychotic or neuroleptic drugs – used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression. Symptoms can appear after just a few months of treatment or after many years.
For people living in rural America, recognizing and managing TD can be especially challenging due to limited access to mental health specialists, longer travel distances to care, and fewer opportunities for regular monitoring of symptoms. In many cases, caregivers and family members play a vital role in noticing early signs of TD and encouraging a loved one to seek medical guidance.
While TD can be challenging, early recognition and ongoing care can make a meaningful difference. Understanding the signs – and talking with a healthcare provider – are important first steps.
Watch: How TD Is Diagnosed
This short video explains how healthcare providers screen for TD and why regular monitoring for this neurological movement disorder is so important for individuals taking medications that may increase risk.
As Associate Medical Director at DENT Neurologic Institute, Michael Asbach brings more than 13 years of experience as a board-certified psychiatric physician assistant. He is dedicated to advancing mental healthcare through clinical excellence, research, and education, and serves as a medical liaison between the American Academy of Physician Associates and the American Psychiatric Association.
Webinar: Managing TD In Rural America
Living in a rural area can make managing tardive dyskinesia more challenging. But information and resources are available.
This one-hour Rural Minds webinar, “Managing Tardive Dyskinesia in Rural America,” features:
Todd Donovan – former President of the Board of Directors for NAMI New Hampshire, who has recently relocated to rural North Carolina after retiring – shares his lived experience managing TD in a rural community.
Dr. Mark Frye of Mayo Clinic offers medical insight into screening and treatment options.
You’re Not Alone
If you or someone you care about may be experiencing symptoms of TD, know that help is available. Talk with a healthcare provider about any unusual movements or concerns, especially if you are taking medications for mental health conditions.
At Rural Minds, we’re committed to connecting rural communities with the information, resources, and support needed to navigate mental health challenges – wherever you live.
Get Help Now
If you or someone you care about may be experiencing symptoms of TD, don’t wait to seek support. Early recognition and treatment can make a meaningful difference.
Take the next step:
Talk to your healthcare provider about any unusual or involuntary movements, especially if you’re taking medications for mental health conditions.
Use Rural Minds resources to better understand TD and prepare for that conversation.
If you’re unsure where to begin, Rural Minds’ free online resources can help you connect with trusted information and guidance tailored to rural communities. Help is available and taking that first step can make a difference.
Additional Resources
For more information and support, explore these trusted resources: