Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. today announced its support of Mental Health Awareness Month and commitment to raising awareness of and supporting people living with tardive dyskinesia (TD) through Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. TD is a persistent and often irreversible movement disorder associated with prolonged use of certain mental health medicines (antipsychotics) to treat bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder.1,2-5 This year marks the fifth consecutive year the mental health advocacy community and states across the country have recognized the first week of May (1-7) as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week.
“Over the past five years, Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week has brought together advocacy organizations, legislators, and the community to recognize and drive increased support for those impacted by the condition,” said Josie Cooper, Executive Director of the Movement Disorders Policy Coalition (MDPC). “The fifth anniversary marks an important milestone, and we will continue to partner with stakeholders to advance care and support for those living with TD in the years to come.”
Since the inaugural Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in 2018 and over the past five years, 50 states, Washington, D.C., and various mental health advocacy organizations continue to recognize the awareness week. Despite the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced awareness events and other activities online over the past two years, support of Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week continues to grow for the approximately 600,000 people with the condition.3,6 Several cities have lit government buildings in blue in recognition of Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, and advocacy organizations have coordinated activities around TD education to support and raise awareness for the condition.
“We are proud to support Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week for the fifth straight year. With mental health continuing to be a significant challenge, it is important to include TD in the conversation because of the emotional and social consequences this disorder can have for patients already living with mental health issues,” said Eiry W. Roberts, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Neurocrine Biosciences. “Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week has made large strides in education and recognition since its initial launch in 2018, and we look forward to continuing to bring awareness to patients living with TD.”
TD is a chronic condition that is unlikely to improve without treatment. Of those living with TD, an estimated 75% have not been diagnosed.7 The involuntary movements associated with TD can impact patients physically, socially, and emotionally, making them feel embarrassed or judged by others and, in some cases, leading them to withdraw from society and isolate themselves from the outside world.2,8-10 In a recent survey (n=350), over half (57%) of TD patients reported that their mental health has been impacted by their involuntary movements11§†. Over half (53%) of the patients also reported that TD has affected their ability to sleep, almost half (46%) stated TD affected their ability to work, and over one-third (35%) reported it impacted their ability to eat and drink11§‡.
Learn more about TD, living with TD, and how to treat TD by visiting TalkAboutTD.com.