Tardive Dyskinesia Treatment: Medication, Lifestyle Changes, and More
Published on May 14, 2026
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Treatment for tardive dyskinesia (TD), a condition affecting the nervous system that causes uncontrollable body movements which can be triggered by antipsychotics or other medications that affect the neurotransmitter dopamine, can include medications, surgery, and other options.
Your healthcare provider may first try lowering the dose of the medication that’s causing your symptoms, or changing to another type, says Tara Kimbason, MD, a neurologist with Sentara Health in Norfolk, Virginia.
But if these changes aren’t an option or don’t work, your healthcare team can help you find a treatment path to minimize your symptoms.
Medication
If you have moderate or severe TD that affects your quality of life, your provider may recommend one of a group of medications called vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) inhibitors.
“They can help calm the extra movements in many people,” says Nandakumar Narayanan, MD, PhD, a neurologist and a professor of neurology at University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City.
Three VMAT2 inhibitors can treat TD:
- valbenazine (Ingrezza)
- deutetrabenazine (Austedo)
- tetrabenazine (Xenazine)
Experts think TD may happen when a medication (such as an antipsychotic) causes movement regulation pathways in the brain to become hypersensitive to dopamine. VMAT2 drugs reduce the effects of dopamine, and as a result, unwanted movements may happen less.
Surgery
If severe TD symptoms don’t get better on medication or other treatments, you may be eligible for a therapy called deep brain stimulation (DBS), which requires a surgical procedure to place the stimulator hardware.
During this procedure, your provider places electrodes into your brain, which send mild pulses of electricity to change brain activity. A device similar to a pacemaker, which sends an electrical current to the electrodes, is implanted under the skin of the upper chest. DBS for TD targets a specific part of the brain called the globus pallidus interna (GPi), which plays a large role in TD movements.
As a newer treatment, DBS for TD still needs more research to confirm how well it works. But you can ask your doctor about this option and whether you might be a good candidate.
Lifestyle Changes
For some, changes in lifestyle habits can lessen symptoms of TD. “My patients are helped through tactics to achieve better mental health stability, such as reducing stress, improving quality of sleep, and maximizing healthy habits,” says Dr. Kimbason.
Use Sensory Cues
One type of TD, tardive dystonia, causes involuntary muscle contractions, such as twisting motions and odd postures, but using sensory tricks can reduce or correct these movements. Here are some tactics people use:
- Rub an eyebrow to stop eyelid twitching.
- Suck on a toothpick to redirect unwanted tongue movements.
- Keep sunglasses on inside.
- Wear a turtleneck even when it’s not very cold.
Experiment with different tricks and see what works. After a little trial and error, you may find some that help coax your brain into lessening or redirecting body movements you don’t want.
Minimize Stress
Stress makes TD symptoms worse, but you can take steps to prevent this trigger. Try these stress management tips:
- Create daily and weekly routines to avoid unexpected stressors.
- Journal about things that make you feel thankful.
- Use mindfulness meditation to help you learn how to avoid focusing on thoughts that stress you out.
- Do yoga, which uses movement and breathing to lessen stress.
- Try relaxation techniques, like deep breathing, guided imagery, and progressive muscle relaxation.
Get Good Sleep
Sleep gives your brain deep, restorative rest and lowers stress levels. Plus, TD movements actually stop while you sleep. You can get better sleep by adopting these healthy sleep habits.
- Keep a consistent bedtime and wake-up time every day (even on days off).
- During the hour before bed, dim the lights, avoid screens, and do something relaxing.
- Stick to light snacks rather than heavy meals before bed.
- Avoid alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine in the hours leading up to bedtime.
- Keep your sleep space dark, cool, and quiet.
- Be active outdoors when you can.
If your sleep doesn’t improve after a few weeks, you can ask your provider for their input and help.
Exercise More
Exercise helps you feel less stressed, and some people with TD have fewer symptoms when they get regular physical activity. You can ask your care team which exercises you can try to get the most benefit while staying safe with your condition.
Rehabilitation and Therapy
Different therapy types can help you manage TD. These include:
- Speech therapy for face and mouth movements that affect how you talk and swallow
- Occupational therapy teaches adaptations to activities of daily living so you can stay independent
- Physical therapy for movements that change how you walk, stand, and move around
Dr. Narayanan recommends doing speech and occupational therapy before trying any medications.
Complementary and Integrative Approaches
Some providers offer botulinum toxin (Botox) injections to treat TD. Injected botulinum toxin blocks specific nerves, which weakens or paralyzes muscles involved in movement.
Injections may work best for specific movements, like eye blinking or muscle spasms. But more research is needed to fully understand how much Botox injections can help people with TD.
Mental Health Treatment
If your provider changes your antipsychotic medication, they will monitor you closely to make sure your psychiatric illness doesn’t get worse. But you can also protect your mental health with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reduce stress and cope better, says Narayanan.
“Great mental health care is essential, and it’s key for your doctors to come up with a plan that’s good for you,” says Narayanan.
Resources We Trust
- Mayo Clinic: Understanding Tardive Dyskinesia, From Symptoms to Causes and Prevention
- Cleveland Clinic: How to Live Your Best Life With Tardive Dyskinesia
- National Alliance on Mental Illness: Tardive Dyskinesia
- National Organization for Tardive Dyskinesia: About Tardive Dyskinesia
- Mental Health America: 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Being Diagnosed With Tardive Dyskinesia
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
- Tardive Dyskinesia. Cleveland Clinic. July 10, 2024.
- How To Live Your Best Life With Tardive Dyskinesia. Cleveland Clinic. August 22, 2024.
- Takeuchi H et al. Pathophysiology, Prognosis and Treatment of Tardive Dyskinesia. Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. October 21, 2022.
- Deep Brain Stimulation. Mayo Clinic. March 17, 2026.
- Badarny S et al. Tardive Syndrome Is a Mysterious Phenomenon with Different Clinical Manifestations — Review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. February 14, 2023.
- Reducing Stress. National Institutes of Health Office of Research Services.
- 5 Things to Know About Relaxation Techniques for Stress. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. April 27, 2026.
- Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency: Healthy Sleep Habits. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. March 24, 2022.
- Raza M et al. Tardive Dyskinesia. StatPearls. January 31, 2026.
- Botox. MedlinePlus. August 10, 2025.
- Testini P et al. Treatment of Tardive Dystonia: A Review. Dystonia. February 5, 2023.
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Jason Paul Chua, MD, PhD
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Jason Chua, MD, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Division of Movement Disorders at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He received his training at th...
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Abby McCoy is an experienced registered nurse who has worked with adults and pediatric patients encompassing trauma, orthopedics, home care, transplant, and case management. She is...