Tardive dyskinesia can be embarrassing. And that embarrassment can have a social impact, explain Dr Greg Mattingly, a psychiatry expert in St. Louis, Missouri, and Tammy LeBlanc-Russo, a psychiatric nurse practitioner in upstate New York.
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“Beyond Movement: Appreciating the Social Impact of Tardive Dyskinesia” is a promotional educational program sponsored and co-developed by Neurocrine Biosciences and is not certified for continuing medical education. The speakers are presenting on behalf of and are paid consultants for Neurocrine Biosciences. The information presented is consistent with FDA guidelines.
Dr Mattingly: More than three-fourths of patients with possible tardive dyskinesia knew it was there when asked.1 And when asked if it bothered them, another three-fourths of patients with movements consistent with tardive dyskinesia admitted they were embarrassed.1 Patients might say, “I know something’s wrong but I don’t know quite what it is. Because of the way I look, I’m embarrassed to sit and eat at a dinner table with other people, and I’m embarrassed to be in public or to be with friends.”
Ms LeBlanc-Russo: That’s right. And when somebody’s embarrassed, what does that do to their social interactions? These patients are generally already struggling with other mental health issues, and now we might have to work on self-esteem and self-worth. It can add a whole other layer of illness, I think.
Dr Mattingly: Tammy, I have a family member with schizophrenia. She lives in a group home with other women with chronic mental health conditions. I’ve seen firsthand how tardive dyskinesia is not just having uncontrollable movements; patients might also be embarrassed to come out and interact, be part of a group, to sit at the dinner table, and join social activities.
Ms LeBlanc-Russo: Tardive dyskinesia can impact work life, too.1 I’ve seen folks leaving work early because they feel like somebody is looking at them or staring at them, and that can lead them down a rabbit hole of feeling bad about themselves. They can start getting tearful, and then they have to go home for the day.
Dr Mattingly: Our goal in treating mental health conditions is to get people back into life. Get them back holding a job, going to school, and interacting socially. That can be disrupted when you’re embarrassed by the way you look. Tardive dyskinesia can further complicate the mental health burden.
Ms LeBlanc-Russo: I hope we helped to raise tardive dyskinesia awareness among our colleagues, so we can improve the lives of people out there who are struggling with tardive dyskinesia. I want patients to know they’re not alone, and there are options that can help.
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Reference
Ms LeBlanc-Russo: That’s right. And when somebody’s embarrassed, what does that do to their social interactions? These patients are generally already struggling with other mental health issues, and now we might have to work on self-esteem and self-worth. It can add a whole other layer of illness, I think.
Dr Mattingly: Tammy, I have a family member with schizophrenia. She lives in a group home with other women with chronic mental health conditions. I’ve seen firsthand how tardive dyskinesia is not just having uncontrollable movements; patients might also be embarrassed to come out and interact, be part of a group, to sit at the dinner table, and join social activities.
Ms LeBlanc-Russo: Tardive dyskinesia can impact work life, too.1 I’ve seen folks leaving work early because they feel like somebody is looking at them or staring at them, and that can lead them down a rabbit hole of feeling bad about themselves. They can start getting tearful, and then they have to go home for the day.
Dr Mattingly: Our goal in treating mental health conditions is to get people back into life. Get them back holding a job, going to school, and interacting socially. That can be disrupted when you’re embarrassed by the way you look. Tardive dyskinesia can further complicate the mental health burden.
Ms LeBlanc-Russo: I hope we helped to raise tardive dyskinesia awareness among our colleagues, so we can improve the lives of people out there who are struggling with tardive dyskinesia. I want patients to know they’re not alone, and there are options that can help.
Thanks for tuning in. There are more resources on tardive dyskinesia to explore, which have been created with your busy schedule in mind.
Reference
1. Caroff SN, Yeomans K, Lenderking WR, et al. RE-KINECT: a prospective study of the presence and healthcare burden of tardive dyskinesia in clinical practice settings. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2020;40(3):259-268.