Tardive dyskinesia can affect many areas of your life, including your social life and self-confidence. Learning how to manage these effects can help improve your overall well-being and daily functioning.

Some people who take an antipsychotic or neuroleptic medication to treat mental health conditions like schizophrenia, major depression, or bipolar disorder might experience a variety of involuntary movements.

This is a side effect of medication called tardive dyskinesia, a condition that causes jerky motions of the face, neck, arms, and legs.

On top of managing a mental health condition, experiencing these types of uncontrollable movements can affect your quality of life in many ways. The more severe these movements are, the more of an effect tardive dyskinesia can have.

Here are just a few possible effects tardive dyskinesia can have on your life and how to help manage them.

With tardive dyskinesia, your lips might suddenly pucker, your face could crinkle into a frown, or you might stick out your tongue at a stranger. People who don’t know what’s going on might stare, whisper, and ask questions.

Some people who experience tardive dyskinesia say that the effect on their social life is one of the hardest parts of living with the condition. Embarrassment can be a big problem. Fear of unwanted attention causes some people to withdraw from friends and family, especially if symptoms are severe.

One way to help manage the stigma of tardive dyskinesia is to learn everything you can about it. Then, when you meet someone who asks questions, you’ll know how to answer them.

Surrounding yourself with supportive people can help alleviate some of the embarrassment. Consider opening up to family and friends about what it’s like to live with tardive dyskinesia.

You might also consider joining a movement disorders support group to connect with others who understand exactly what you’re going through.

Researchers conducted an online survey from April 2020 to June 2021 to evaluate the social, physical, mental health, and professional impact of TD. They surveyed people with TD, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

Researchers found that approximately 3 out of 4 people with TD reported feeling irritable, frustrated, and angry with their symptoms. These feelings intensified the more severe those symptoms became.

If you feel angry or frustrated, consider reaching out for help. You could talk with a therapist or counselor who works with people who have chronic conditions. You could also contact an organization like the National Alliance on Mental Illness or the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance for advice.

Insecurity is another common theme people living with tardive dyskinesia mention on social media. They say that they feel ugly, unaccepted by others, and uncomfortable in their own skin. Some people have said that living with tardive dyskinesia is so discouraging that they’ve had thoughts of suicide.

If tardive dyskinesia has affected your self-confidence, check with your doctor to make sure you’re taking the proper treatment. Lean on friends and family for support. While it can be hard to have a sense of humor about these movements, some studies find that laughing helps relieve anxiety.

And if you ever have thoughts of harming yourself, call 911 or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline right away.

One way to help relieve tardive dyskinesia symptoms is to lower the dose of your antipsychotic or neuroleptic medication. It’s important to check with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment. Before deciding to lower the dose, also take time to consider your mental health.

While adjusting your dose may improve the movements, it could also lead to a relapse of the underlying mental health condition. More than half of people living with schizophrenia who stop taking their medication relapse within 9 months.

A severe relapse could lead to a hospital stay. One study found that a tardive dyskinesia diagnosis caused up to a 19% increase in hospital visits and admissions.

If you need to stay on your medication, there are other treatments you might try for tardive dyskinesia. Valbenazine (Ingrezza) and deutetrabenazine (Austedo) are two medications that change levels of dopamine in your brain to help relieve the movements.

Even if your mental health symptoms are well-managed, you may find it more challenging to get or keep a job due to tardive dyskinesia. People who experience this side effect are less likely to be employed than those who don’t.

The stigma of tardive dyskinesia can get in the way of work. Some people are too embarrassed to apply for a job, and others find that the movements make it difficult to meet the requirements of their role.

Tardive dyskinesia makes work more challenging but not impossible. You might have to explain the movements to your manager and coworkers. Once they’re informed, you may be able to set up accommodations to help you do your job more easily.

If tardive dyskinesia prevents you from working, you may be able to go on disability leave until symptoms improve. You could also explore work-from-home opportunities.

When you’re living with tardive dyskinesia, it’s important to find emotional support. Talking with others about what you’re going through can help you feel less alone and improve your quality of life.

Consider opening up to friends, family, and other loved ones so that they know how to help and support you.

You can also look into joining a support group, whether in person or online, to connect with others who understand firsthand what life with tardive dyskinesia is like. Ask your doctor about available resources near you.

The uncontrollable movements of tardive dyskinesia can affect your quality of life. Help is available to alleviate the movements themselves and the effects they can have on your emotions, work, and social life.

If you feel unhappy or overwhelmed, reach out to loved ones, a support group, or a mental health professional for advice.