Tardive Dyskinesia: Symptom Categories and Clinical Features
Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a hyperkinetic movement disorder from chronic dopamine receptor blockade. Symptoms cluster by body region:
- Orofacial: Grimacing, lip smacking, tongue protrusion, chewing motions.
- Limb/trunk: Choreoathetoid movements, finger tapping, rocking.
- Respiratory: Irregular breathing, vocal tics.
- Behavioral/Cognitive: Restlessness, impulsivity, attention deficits.
Severity
Ranges from barely noticeable to disabling. Early recognition and antipsychotic dose reduction or switch (e.g., to clozapine) may mitigate progression. VMAT2 inhibitors (valbenazine, deutetrabenazine) are FDA-approved for TD.
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