The authors describe two cases of tardive dyskinesia in which severe
axial dystonia and intense facial grimacing produced marked discomfort as
well as social and physical disability. Both patients experienced the onset
of psychiatric symptoms as young adults, showed a prompt response to
antipsychotic drug therapy, and were subsequently left on maintenance
treatment for indefinite periods. The severity of this frequently
irreversible and disabling condition warrants careful consideration in the
use of long-term antipsychotic drug treatment in the young psychiatric
outpatient population.Abstract Teaser