Today, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) introduced a resolution to designate the first week of May as “Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) Awareness Week.” Mullin’s resolution aims to raise awareness for the 600,000 Americans living with TD, a cruel movement disorder characterized by random, involuntary, and uncontrollable muscle movements.

“For the past three years, Oklahoma has been proud to recognize the first week of May as TD Awareness Week,” Senator Mullin said. “While it’s important for Oklahoma to lead from the front in raising awareness, it’s also critical to understand the far-reaching impact that TD has had on countless families across the nation. It’s my honor to introduce a resolution in the U.S. Senate designating this week as TD Awareness Week. I hope that our legislation will help bring nationwide awareness to the 600,000 Americans living with TD and help our communities be better informed about signs, symptoms, and treatments.”

“We appreciate Senator Mullin introducing a resolution to recognize May 1-7, 2023 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week. We must continue to build awareness about this lesser-known condition that affects an estimated 600,000 people in the United States so that those living with or at-risk of developing Tardive Dyskinesia can have access to appropriate screening and diagnosis,” Kathleen A. Shea, M.A., M.P.H., Founder and President, National Organization for Tardive Dyskinesia said.

Background:

• Tardive Dyskinesia (TD) is movement disorder that is characterized by random, involuntary, and uncontrollable movements of different muscles in the face, trunk, and extremities
• TD is only developed after a person starts taking dopamine receptor blocking agents, including antipsychotics
• 1 in 4 patients receiving long-term treatment with an antipsychotic medication will experience TD
• Approximately 600,000 individuals are living with TD

Full bill text here.