What providers are on a tardive dyskinesia care team?

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a neurological disorder that causes involuntary and repetitive movements. While TD affects different people in different ways, common symptoms include involuntary movements of the face, lips, tongue, neck, limbs, and trunk.

TD most often occurs as a side effect of certain neuroleptic medications. Also known as antipsychotic medications, neuroleptics are used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other mental health disorders. However, TD can occur as a side effect from other medications as well, including certain antidepressants, anti-Parkinson’s medications, anti-seizure medications, and medications for a stomach disorder called gastroparesis.

TD has a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, including mental health and social functioning. Because TD affects many different aspects of a person’s life and health, people with TD will often need to work with multiple healthcare providers who specialize in different aspects of treatment. This is called a multidisciplinary or interprofessional team.

Below is a look at the different providers that can make up a multidisciplinary team for tardive dyskinesia.

Neurologist

A neurologist is a medical doctor who specializes in diseases and conditions that affect the nervous system. This is typically the healthcare provider who will diagnose tardive dyskinesia and oversee treatment, including prescribing medications to help reduce involuntary movements and monitoring for changes in symptoms.

A person may work with a general neurologist—ideally with experience treating TD—or may be referred to a movement disorders specialist, a neurologist who specializes in treating movement disorders like tardive dyskinesia.

Psychiatrist (and additional mental health support)

TD most commonly occurs as a side effect of medications used to treat mental health disorders. In most cases, those medications will have been prescribed by a psychiatrist, a medical doctor who specializes in the treatment of mental health disorders. Treating TD often requires a careful balance of continuing treatment with a neuroleptic medication while managing and minimizing TD symptoms, and a psychiatrist will play a critical role in this part of care. A psychiatrist should work closely with a neurologist.

A person may also work with social workers, participate in a support group, or work with other mental health professionals. Mental health is also an important aspect of care for people who developed TD from a medication other than a neuroleptic medication, as well as caregivers of people with TD.

Primary care provider

A primary care provider is the healthcare provider a person sees for basic health needs, like preventive care, minor illnesses, and minor injuries. In some cases, this may be the first provider a person talks to about TD symptoms. A primary care provider is a valuable member of a team, and can refer you to specialists, help coordinate care, and address any health concerns that coexist alongside TD.

Rehabilitation specialists

The involuntary movement symptoms caused by TD can affect how a person functions, and physical and occupational therapy may be a part of treatment. Physical therapy involves a personalized exercise plan to improve things like balance, mobility, and strength. Occupational therapy focuses on managing everyday tasks and safety, such as home adaptations of learning new skills to manage daily tasks. A healthcare team can include a speech-language pathologist to address problems with speech, communication, and swallowing.

Registered dietitian

While TD cannot be treated with diet or nutrition, this is often an important aspect of care. Weight gain and metabolic disorders are potential side effects of neuroleptic medications. TD can affect a person’s ability to shop for food and prepare meals. Because TD often affects the face and mouth, it can affect a person’s ability to eat. For these reasons and others, people with TD may benefit from working with a registered dietitian, who can assess treatment needs and build an eating plan that meets a person’s needs and abilities.

Pharmacist

Managing TD will often involve managing multiple medications, and a pharmacist can be a valuable source of information about medication interactions, side effects, dosing instructions, and other factors that need to be considered when a person is taking multiple medications. People with TD are also advised to wear an identification bracelet that warns against the administration of medications that can worsen TD symptoms.