May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this year marks the 5th consecutive in recognizing TD (Tardive Dyskinesia) Awareness Week (May 1-7) – a condition in which people taking certain mental health medicines experience uncontrollable movements in different parts of their bodies.

TD may develop after taking antipsychotic medication to treat bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder and is thought to be caused from an abundance of dopamine activity in the brain.

Recent stats show that 1 in 5 U.S. adults live with a mental illness, and about 600,000 people in the U.S. may be affected by TD. Even more alarming is that an estimated 75% of those with TD have not been diagnosed. And with mental health continuing to be a significant challenge pre-and-post-pandemic, it is important to keep TD in the conversation to get ahead of the emotional and social consequences this disorder can have for patients already living with mental health issues.

This year, Governor Gavin Newsom joined the mental health advocacy community in recognizing TDAW. Our member, Neurocrine Biosciences, a neuroscience-focused biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering and developing life-changing treatments for patients with under-addressed disorders, also worked to get the San Diego County Administration Building as well as the Balboa Park Complex (Organ Pavilion, CA Tower, Museum of Art Square) lit up blue on May 2-4.

Six years ago, there were no FDA approved treatments for TD. Today, there are two approved treatments available for individuals. It’s incredible the progress our innovative life science industry can make when it comes together in the united mission of improving the human condition for all.

Lean more about TD, living with TD, and how to treat TD by visiting TalkAboutTD.com and tracking the hashtag #TDAwarenessWeek on social media.