¶ … Psychology [...] psychological affects of tardive dyskinesia, including the etiology, signs & symptoms, treatment, and prognosis, all as it relates to psychiatry and psychology. Tardive dyskinesia involves the involuntary motion of the lips, tongue, feet, and hands (Ross and Read 107). Other features may include "grimacing, tongue protrusion, lip smacking, puckering and pursing, and rapid eye blinking. Rapid movements of the arms, legs, and trunk may also occur. Involuntary movements of the fingers may appear as though the patient is playing an invisible guitar or piano" (Editors). It comes as a result of taking neuroleptic drugs, which are usually prescribed for psychiatric disorders. They can be prescribed for other ailments, such as gastrointestinal disorders, as well, but their primary use is in psychiatry. Severe tardive dyskinesia is not curable in about 75% of the patients who develop it, a fact the drug companies acknowledge (Ross and Read 107). In fact, the condition is so prevalent that the FDA requires all neuroleptic drugs to include a warming about the dangers of the disease (Breggin and Cohen 47). Some psychiatrists believe the condition existed before the use of neuroleptic drugs, while others disagree and believe it showed up after the drugs were available to psychiatric patients.
The condition can affect anyone. However, "The drugs are significantly more likely to cause tardive dyskinesia in women and older people, two groups prescribed the drugs at particularly high rates. Black Americans are more likely than white Americans to develop tardive dyskinesia" (Ross and Read 107). It is interesting to note that schizophrenic patients also seem especially susceptible to developing the disease (Brasic). Some drugs actually mask the symptoms of the disease, and so it only surfaces after the patient manages to stop using the drugs for psychiatric treatment.
Severe tardive dyskinesia can create acute health problems for the patient, as they can develop swallowing and eating problems, as well as gait issues that can cause falls and other injuries. Psychologically, the disease can be devastating as well, and individuals with the disorder often develop anxiety, guilt, shame, and depression, which can have a debilitating affect on work and personal life. The severity of the problem is magnified because many patients may deny they have symptoms, making it difficult to diagnose and treat the disease (Breggin and Cohen 57).
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