ENROLLED ORIGINAL
A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
24-47
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
May 4, 2021
To declare the first week of May 2021 as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week.
WHEREAS, many peoples 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;
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);
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;
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;
WHEREAS, it is estimated that over 500,000 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;
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;
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, The Council of the District of Columbia can raise awareness of Tardive
Dyskinesia in the public and medical community.
 ENROLLED ORIGINAL
IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
That this resolution may be cited as the Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week Recognition
Resolution of 2021.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia hereby declares the week of May 2, 2021,
as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week, and encourages every individual in the District to
become better informed about and aware of Tardive Dyskinesia.
Sec 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.