SENATE RESOLUTION 47

(By Senator Nelson)

[Introduced February 19, 2024]

Recognizing the week of May 5-11, 2024, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in West Virginia.

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, Tardive Dyskinesia is a muscle movement disorder that is characterized by random, involuntary, and uncontrolled movements of different muscles in the face, trunk, and extremities; and

Whereas, Estimates are 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 be affected by Tardive Dyskinesia; and

Whereas, Tardive Dyskinesia affects all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities; and

Whereas, Tardive Dyskinesia can develop months, years, or decades after a person starts taking DRBAs, even after usage has been discontinued.  Not everyone who takes a DRBA will develop Tardive Dyskinesia, but if they do, unfortunately it is more likely to be permanent; and

Whereas, After years of difficult and challenging research, there has been a major scientific breakthrough with two new treatments for Tardive Dyskinesia approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and

Whereas, The American Psychiatric Association (APA) now recommends regular screening for Tardive Dyskinesia in patients who are on DRBA medications as too often many patients are misdiagnosed due to Tardive Dyskinesia being unrecognizable; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby recognizes the week of May 5-11, 2024, as Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week in West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Greater Wheeling West Virginia.