Abilify for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Ori
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2013

"This pulled me right out of the zombie state the mood stabilizer antidepressant combination had put me in. I still have swings, but they're not as deep or as long, and my mania is still stifled enough that it's productive rather than destructive."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 12, 2012

"I have been taking Abilify for nearly two years to manage my episodes of rage. The medication helps me to talk myself down in circumstances that I would usually build on my ridiculous ideas. It is a miracle medicine for me. Last month when the price went up to $120 dollars I decided to try and manage without it since I am also on a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant. That was a bad idea. After about 9 days I started noticing my episodes of rage increasing and I also started feeling more social anxiety. My husband requested that I begin taking the Abilify again, and after just a couple days I was back to my "normal" self. I take 15 mg at bedtime. Although the cost is high, it is worth it to keep my sanity."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2012

"I'm 38 and have been suffering from bipolar and some schizophrenia since age 12. First time in my life that a pill other than a painkiller took away the crushing pressure pinning my dreams, my soul, to the ground."

• mare...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 14, 2013

"I WAS on Abilify for more than a year. then it got prohibitively expensive. (over $250) I was on 15mg. It made my rage and aggression more manageable. I think this is a MIRACLE pill. The only side affect that DIDN'T go away, was the restless leg syndrome. If you can afford this medicine, take it, it's GREAT."

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2019

"This medication Abilify almost killed me. I started it in January for bipolar and felt flat and slightly suicidal (as I had before starting it) for about two months on it. Experienced some weight gain. After the two months, I began to have obsessive suicidal thoughts to the point I couldn't concentrate. Oddly enough, I didn't feel depressed just non-stop suicidal thoughts. I got off of it and switched to lithium, haven't had a suicidal thought in months!"

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2019

"Up until recently, I was taking just 1 mg of Abilify along with 300 mg of Lamictal. My doctor had me on 2, but I felt like it made me feel apathetic and kind of dissociated, so I began cutting the pill in half. I did notice that I felt less depressed, could focus better, and did not experience such strong mood episodes. However, within a month I was experiencing this extremely intense paranoia that I never had before. I had chest pains and headaches regularly. I couldn't eat and often felt sick because of how anxious I was. So yes, Abilify did benefit me alongside this weird side effect. My doctor had me convinced the medication wasn't causing the paranoia, it was "just me", but as soon as I stopped taking it the headaches, chest pains, and bursts of anxiety have stopped. I do feel more depressed and my mood swings have come back harder. I'm getting a new doctor soon to hopefully put me on another type of antipsychotic"

• Amazing...
• July 16, 2015

"I was VERY hesitant on taking this medication, and like most of you reading these reviews, I too was scared of what it might or might not do. All I can say, in 3 days (2mg dose) there was a huge difference in my attitude, calmness and overall presence in me and my thoughts. Amazing!!!! I have so much energy and love doing things again. It has been one week, and for those of you who are affraid to gain weight; you must know, I am losing weight. It has actually decreased my apitite, however that might be because I am cautious of it and find other ways to curb cravings. One side effect I am having is NOT sleeping, although we are going through a bit of a heat wave and even air conditioning is not helping. Good Luck!"

• Kome
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 3, 2016

"This medicine has done so much for me. I've had horrible "mood swings" for years and they just kept getting worse. I would also cry myself to sleep every night for years and years. I always felt irritated and annoyed with everything. I would yell and scream, get hyper and crash into a pile on the floor, be suicidal one minute and happy the next. I was all over the place. This medicine has done so much for me."

• ky girl
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2014

"I have tried many bipolar, mania medicines with none being the right one, however when my doctor prescribed Abilify it helped majorly in my life. I am on a combination of Abilify, Divalproex and Trazadone. All of which work in my favor. It is very comforting to know there is a medicine out there that understands bipolar patients."

• samnm
• November 17, 2013

"I feel the Abilify working on my depression. I am singing and happier then I have been in a while. I was taking Invega before and that did not help me at all. I am diagnosed with Bipolar 1. This medicine has lessened my mania but has not vanished it completely. I do not see any side effects with this medicine!"

• sprin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2015

"Best med. I have ever had for my bipolar. I was on many drugs but they made me a zombie. I couldn't wake up. It's tough when you have to work everyday. My Dr. put me on abilify and I'm a new person! Very Happy with the results. I have a life again!"

• Valky...
• October 15, 2014

"Have been on Abilify for two weeks and my personality has changed drastically. I went from being chilled out and quite okay on Seroquel and Effexor but wanted to try Abilify to combat weight gain. In the two weeks I've been on it I've swung from hypomanic to aggressive and downright selfish. I did things I wouldn't normally do that has hurt my relationship with my partner and I've also been spending like crazy. Probably should stop but will consult psychiatrist first to see what she says."

• Dizzy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 30, 2018

"I’ve tried every mood stabilizer, typical psychotic and atypical antipsychotic for my Aspergers and Bipolar depression, and Abilify always helps the most. I feel happy on it and it helps me with dysphoric mania consistently. It does cause weight gain, but I have been able to lose weight on it by cutting calories to 1500 a day and walking regularly. Plus, it has a generic version now, so it’s cheap!"

• meloosh
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2016

"It's only been two weeks but Abilify 2mg, added to Wellbutrin 150mg, has been amazing. I was misdiagnosed for many years and it's sad to realize how much time was lost to my illness that wasn't being properly controlled. I'd only taken ADs until now. I experienced dramatic improvement within DAYS and continued relief from symptoms which often left me homebound and sobbing with no interest or ability to work or socialize, even perform minor chores and the anxiety became crippling. Side effects include some vision issues and a spell of overwhelming fatigue a few hours after taking the med. Once that dissipates, I feel a lot of energy and am able to function very well. Fingers crossed for continued success. Much luck to all. There is hope."

• Coco
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

"I've been on Abilify 5mg for 3 weeks now (taking for bipolar). I'm naturally a restless person so I like the feeling of having to do something all the time, It makes me feel like I'm contributing. Sleeping about 5-6 hours a night. Weight gain of about 2lbs. I feel better and a little more connected to my husband and kids as compared to when I was on Quetiapine."

• myste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2013

"I would hide at home for months, shaking when a telephone rang. I couldn't let people go and had obsessive thoughts. Abilify gave me calm, confidence and hope. It made me less sensitive to light and time, I was no longer at the mercy of each passing moment. I woke up relaxed, went to bed without a noise in my head, inner voices stopped criticizing me, thoughts didn't race. I was creative but focused, and began wonderful new projects. Had NO side effects- NO weight gain. 'Worked magic that first day. But after a month it seemed to do nothing but make me sad. Evidently that was a manic phase. It blocks my mania, but not my depressive switch. Feels like I've traded manic depression for unipolar depression. I am being switched to lithium."

• Josh
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2017

"This drug has been a lifesaver to me. It's helped provide me with mood stability with an antidepressant effect, whereas lithium only controlled the mania part of my mood. I use this in combination with other drugs and so far there hasn't been any side effects. I tried decreasing the dosage, and within 2 days I noticed a difference in my mood. I would definitely recommend this drug. This has made a difference in my mood, the way I think, and my overall perspective. This improved my motivation to get work done, since I wouldn't be just sitting around reminiscing in a negative thought loop. It gives me mental freedom and allows me to escape brain fog that has imprisoned my thoughts. Seriously, don't be afraid to try this drug"

• Madonna
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2021

"I was prescribed 2mg of Abilify to take for being diagnosed with bipolar depression. I started with half the tablet in the morning and omg! I felt sleepy the first day and somewhat disoriented. I felt that anxious feeling you get with new meds hours later. At night, lights were so bright to me and it also gave me insomnia. Second and third days were worse with side effects. I almost dialled 911. I was perspiring, felt lightheaded and extremely weak. It made me feel paranoid. Had a panic attack and the rest of the day, I felt as if I drank 6 cups of coffee. Never again! Bye Abilify!"

• Charlie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 20, 2021

"Abilify was horrible to me. Very soon after starting medication started to experience blurred vision, extreme nausea & vomiting, unable to sleep, headaches. Dose: 2.5mg Diagnosis: Bipolar disorder & CPTSD"

• Golf...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2014

"Started on Abilify in addition to Effexor and Lamictal. Immediately had tremors in hands, lips and speech. Gained weight and was anxious. Stopped taking when I ran out; tremors stopped, lost weight and no noticeable negative consequences. Don't know why it was prescribed but it caused more problems than it helped. Side effects were terrible."

• David...
• August 14, 2014

"I've been taking Abilify for eight months now. Although it made me gain 15-20kg (something like 33-40 lbs I believe?), my experience is quite positive. The sadness from my major depressive episode, as well as my suicidal thoughts, have been almost annihilated. The reason why I rated it as a six is because it didn't help ease the great fatigue I have. But it helped a lot, that is for sure."

• crjua...
• March 14, 2015

"Abilify changed my life. There is hope. I was on Zoloft and Clonidine when I first started Abilify at the age of 15.. Zoloft for depression and Clondine to manage my complete rage. My moods were out of control. I was depressed and hopeless one second and then mean, irrational, and full of rage the next. My Dr. prescribed me 2mg of Abilify and from that point on I feel like I have been cured though I know I'm not.. Bi-polar disorder is a constant battle. I know Abilify works for me because I have tried to get off it and lost complete control over my emotions. Went back on it and I was golden again. I am on 5mg 2x daily. I am now 21 and better than I have ever been in the past. Only side effect is I like to eat a lot."

• kaylee
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2023

"I've suffered from depression since I was 12. I'm now 36. At 31, I was diagnosed with bipolar 2. I've tried various combinations of antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants. I've found a few that have somewhat worked, but none of them have given me the motivation and will to live like Abilify has, just in the 4 days I've been taking it. I'm doing my hobbies again, and I actually cleaned the whole house at once for the first time in a year. I'm painting my nails again and doing makeup again, which I haven't done in over 4 months now. I read the reviews on here before suggesting it to my doctor, and boy, I'm so glad I did. I have hope again for my future. I have the will to actually live again! The only side effects I'm experiencing are kinda unfortunate but worth it in my opinion - I sometimes throw up in my throat and have heartburn. I may be experiencing insomnia a tad bit too. I recommend trying this drug. I'm also taking 100mg lamotrigine once daily."

• NHelm
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2016

"Abilify is the only antipsychotic that works for me. The extreme hunger, lethargy, restlessness, and memory problems I had on other antipsychotics are nonexistent with abilify. I was in the middle of a severe depressive episode when I took it and it only took several weeks for me to be back to normal functioning. I sleep better, have more energy, and fewer mood swings. This medication is great. I find that it is more "activating" while other drugs in the same class like Zyprexa are more "tranquilizing.""

• Baby...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 14, 2019

"I have a mood disorder and an anxiety disorder. I’ve been taking Zoloft for ~3 years, and although it helped with anxiety, it didn’t touch my intense mood swings. After a very bad mood swing that almost broke up my 7 year relationship, I sought help. My psychiatrist put me on Lamictal first, and it gave me hives. Then we tried trileptal, and the GI side effects were unbearable after 2 weeks. Finally she put me on Abilify and so far it has been great. I’ve been on 2 mg of Abilify (with 50 mg Zoloft) for a week and there have been almost no side effects. I was warned there might be dry mouth or excessive sweating but I’ve been fine. It did cause me to wake up 7-8 times during the night, but I switched to taking it in the morning and now I sleep like a baby again! It has only been a week but I’m starting to feel a difference: I have more energy and I feel more in control of my moods "