Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

WHEREAS, many people with serious, chronic mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, severe 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 antipsychotics; and

WHEREAS, while ongoing treatment with these medications can be necessary and helpful, prolonged use can also lead to tardive dyskinesia (TD), an involuntary movement disorder that is characterized by random, involuntary, and uncontrolled movements of different muscles in the face, torso, and extremities; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that TD affects approximately 600,000 Americans, and approximately 70% of people with TD have not been diagnosed, making it important to raise awareness about the symptoms and impact of TD; and

WHEREAS, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) recommends that people taking DRBA medication be monitored for TD with regular screenings; 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 because even mild symptoms of TD can have physical, social, and emotional consequences; and

WHEREAS, Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week brings awareness to the disorder and allows the public and medical community to become more informed about TD;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 1-7, 2023, as TARDIVE DYSKINESIA AWARENESS WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations