Tardive Dyskinesia Lawyer

Tardive Dyskinesia was first termed in 1964 after the abnormal, involuntary movements were observed. The disorder was first brought to the attention of the medical community in 1973 when a psychiatrist George Crane had witnessed Tardive Dyskinesia cases in antipsychotic (neuroleptic) patients. These documentations were not further examined and neuroleptic drugs continued to be heavily promoted and even credited with reducing the number of mental hospital residents. In fact, mental hospital numbers were not reduced until almost ten years after neuroleptic medications were being administered, right at the time the federal government began to provide disability insurance coverage for mental disorders.

Although a high incidence of Tardive Dyskinesia has been estimated to have affected the over two million U.S. schizophrenia patients using neuroleptic medications to manage symptoms, there is still an absence of real research on the links between Tardive Dyskinesia and neuroleptics. Now patients and families are realizing how unaware they have been of the serious antipsychotic risks and are seeking advice from Tardive Dyskinesia lawyers. According to studies, Tardive Dyskinesia develops in 15 – 20% of antipsychotic (neuroleptic) patients using the drugs for several years. There are estimates that Tardive Dyskinesia affects as many as 1 million Americans, with some believing this estimate to be conservative.

The growing belief that there is a prescription drug to help cure any ailment has been in response to the competitive pharmaceutical industry according to critics. The increase in drug advertising has been attributed to the reduction of consumer awareness by under emphasizing the risks and possible side effects and over emphasizing the drugs benefits, regardless of how minimal they may be. Neuroleptics have dangerous effects like Tardive Dyskinesia but many patients are still unaware of the serious risks.

Many people in the psychiatric field have argued that while there are risks for every medication, the risks of Tardive Dyskinesia were outweighed by the benefits neuroleptics brought schizophrenia patients. Critics argue otherwise, believing that especially in patients with acute schizophrenia alternative psychosocial options may provide beneficial results without risks of Tardive Dyskinesia and other drug induced disorders.

As Tardive Dyskinesia rates continue to skyrocket, there is mounting evidence showing Tardive Dyskinesia can result in irreversible damage that is sometimes more severe than conditions the antipsychotics were being used to treat. In September 2003, it was reported that a link between atypical antipsychotic drugs and hyperglycemia and diabetes has been found and the FDA has requested all atypical antipsychotic drug labeling carry warnings alerting patients of the adverse effects.

For more information on Tardive Dyskinesia and neuroleptics contact us to confer with a Tardive Dyskinesia lawyer.