Teasing Out Tardive Dyskinesia

CONFERENCE REPORTER

"Patients with tardive dyskinesia can do a very good job of hiding it," said Erin Crown, MHS, PA-C, Psych-CAQ, at the Real Psychiatry conference.

To best diagnose and assess potential tardive dyskinesia, she recommends the following:

• Do not allow the patient to chew gum in the office. It may be masking their oral buccal lingual symptoms.
• Watch them walk into your office, head to toe.
• Speak proactively with patients about medications with risk of tardive dyskinesia.
• Patients may feel guilt and shame, and may try to hide their symptoms. Ensure you are providing a safe space for them to share.

Ms Crown is a psychiatric physician assistant in State College, PA. She is the owner and managing member of Oasis LifeCare, the owner of Future Options Research, and principal investigator in clinical trials.