This House resolution supports naming the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, "Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week." It explains that some medicines used to treat serious mental illnesses (for example, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder) and some medicines used for gastrointestinal problems (for example, gastroparesis, upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting) work by blocking dopamine receptors. The resolution says prolonged use of these medicines may be associated with tardive dyskinesia (TD), an involuntary movement disorder with uncontrollable, abnormal, and repetitive movements of the face, torso, limbs, and fingers or toes. It notes that even mild TD symptoms can affect people physically, socially, and emotionally. The text estimates TD affects about 600,000 people in the United States and that about 60 percent of people with TD have not been diagnosed. The resolution says people taking these medicines should be monitored for TD, that regular screening is recommended by the American Psychiatric Association, and that clinical research has led to FDA approval of treatments for adults with TD. The resolution expresses support for the awareness week and encourages individuals to become better informed about TD. The resolution was introduced May 7, 2026, and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The House is formally supporting a week of awareness for tardive dyskinesia and is encouraging people to learn about the condition. The resolution calls attention to the need for monitoring people who take dopamine receptor blocking medicines and notes screening is recommended by the American Psychiatric Association.
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Supporters say raising awareness is important because TD can affect many people, many cases may be undiagnosed, regular screening is recommended, and approved treatments exist that can help people with TD.
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