[MUSIC PLAYING] SPEAKER: The involuntary facial grimacing and slow, writhing body movements of tardive dyskinesia can be hard to live with. They might make you feel anxious, depressed, or worried about interacting with other people. The knowledge that some people have symptoms of tardive dyskinesia for a long time can be hard to accept, especially if you're not sure how long your own symptoms will last.

The first step is to tell your doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. There may be a safe way to manage your TD symptoms and possibly get rid of them altogether. Talk therapy with a certified mental health specialist can help you come to terms with TD symptoms and to manage any serious mental health issues like anxiety or depression that arise as a result. Find a support group for people living with the condition. It's a way to help manage the emotional toll of TD for yourself while helping others in the same position.

Scientists are always at work to bring more effective treatments with fewer side effects. Even if your doctor can't manage your TD symptoms at the moment, a new drug may be just around the corner either to replace the medication that caused your TD or to help fix your symptoms.