Bill Text: MI HR0276 | 2021-2022 | 101st Legislature | Enrolled
Bill Title: A resolution to declare May 1-7, 2022, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.
Spectrum: Strong Partisan Bill (Democrat 14-1)
Status: (Passed) 2022-04-27 - Adopted [HR0276 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2021-HR0276-Enrolled.html
house resolution no.276
Reps. Witwer, Steckloff, Pohutsky, Garza, Shannon, Scott, Breen, Coleman, Tate, Neeley, Sowerby, Bezotte, Haadsma, Morse and Rogers offered the following resolution:
Whereas, Many people with serious, chronic mental illness, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, or gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroparesis, nausea, and vomiting require treatment with medications that work as dopamine receptor blocking agents (DRBAs), including antipsychotics; and,
Whereas, While ongoing treatment with these medications can be very helpful, and even lifesaving, for many people, it can also lead to tardive dyskinesia (TD); and
Whereas, Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder that is characterized by random, involuntary, and uncontrolled movements of different muscles in the face, trunk and extremities. In some cases, people may experience movement of the arms, legs, fingers, and toes. In other cases, symptoms may include swaying movements of the trunk or hips which may impact the muscles associated with walking, speech, eating and breathing; and
Whereas, Tardive dyskinesia can develop months, years, or decades after a person starts taking DRBAs and even after they have discontinued use of those medications. Not everyone who takes a DRBA develops TD, but if it develops it is often permanent; and
Whereas, Common risk factors for tardive dyskinesia include advanced age and alcoholism or other substance abuse disorders. Postmenopausal women and people with a mood disorder are also higher risk of developing tardive dyskinesia; and
Whereas, A person is at higher risk for TD after taking DRBAs for three months or longer, but the longer the person is on these medications, the higher the risk of developing tardive dyskinesia; and
Whereas, Studies suggest that overall risk of developing tardive dyskinesia is between 10 and 30 percent; and
Whereas, It is estimated that over 600,000 Americans suffer from tardive dyskinesia. According to the National Alliance for Mental Illness, one in every four patients receiving long-term treatment with an antipsychotic medication will experience tardive dyskinesia; and
Whereas, Years of difficult and challenging research have resulted in recent scientific breakthroughs, with two new treatments for tardive dyskinesia approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and
Whereas, Tardive dyskinesia is often unrecognized and patients suffering from the illness are commonly misdiagnosed. Regular screening for TD in patients taking DRBA medications is recommended by the American Psychiatric Association (APA); and
Whereas, Patients suffering from tardive dyskinesia often face negative stigma, which can worsen mental health symptoms and cause embarrassment and withdrawal from society as the disease progresses; and
Whereas, Caregivers of patients with tardive dyskinesia face many challenges and are often responsible for the overall care of the TD patient; and
Whereas, We can raise awareness of tardive dyskinesia in the public and medical community: now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 1-7, 2022, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in the state of Michigan. We encourage each individual in the United States to become better informed about and aware of tardive dyskinesia.
