Which statement about tardive dyskinesia is false?

• A. It is a movement disorder often linked to long-term antipsychotic use.
• B. It always disappears once medication is stopped
• C. It is associated with long-term antipsychotic use
• D. It may persist after stopping medication

Answer: (A)

Tardive dyskinesia is a movement disorder that develops with chronic use of dopamine receptor–blocking antipsychotics. The brain adapts to long-term blockade, and involuntary movements—often of the facial muscles, tongue, and sometimes limbs—can emerge after months or years of treatment. A crucial point for understanding this condition is that stopping the medication does not reliably resolve the symptoms; in many people TD persists for a long time and can be irreversible. Misconception that it always goes away after stopping is not correct. It is indeed linked to long-term antipsychotic use, and it may persist even after medication is stopped.