May 1-7, 2023: Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week

WHEREAS, many people with serious mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder; or gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroparesis, nausea, and vomiting, may be treated with medications that work as dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs), including medications classified as having antipsychotic properties; and,

WHEREAS, while ongoing treatment with these medications can be necessary, prolonged use can also lead to tardive dyskinesia (TD), an involuntary movement disorder that is characterized by uncontrollable, abnormal, and repetitive movements of the face, torso, and/or other body parts; and,

WHEREAS, it is estimated that TD affects approximately 600,000 people in the United States, and approximately 70% of people with TD have not been diagnosed, making it important to raise awareness about the symptoms and impact of TD because even mild symptoms of TD can have physical, social, and emotional consequences; and,

WHEREAS, it is important that people taking DRBA medication be monitored for TD. Regular screening for TD in these patients is recommended by the American Psychiatric Association (APA); and,

WHEREAS, clinical research has led to the availability of two treatments for adults with TD by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and,

WHEREAS, anyone experiencing symptoms of TD should consult their physician for support;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 1 – 7, 2023, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in Michigan.