The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
This medicine was prescribed to me as an add on with Zoloft. It did help my depression and anxiety... unfortunately I went from 118-122 lbs to 167 lbs.... and I didn't even weigh myself at my heaviest. I thought my thyroid was crapping out on me so I got that tested and it came back fine and then my Dr. was like.... one of the side effects of Abilify is weight gain. One of my friends who took it also gained a lot of weight as well... not to say if affects everyone this way but if you started taking it and are gaining weight like crazy with no end in site please talk to your doctor.
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Abilify is working for me, I take it before I go to bed and helps me fall a sleep and stay sleep. I also wake early and I'm very energetic. I'm thankful for this medicine!
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My son is 16 and has ADHD and had been diagnosed as being depressed and eating disorder in the last 6 months. He takes Concerta for the ADHD. He started Abilify and we saw immediate results. Better behavior, less controversial and argumentative. Unfortunately, after being on the Abilify for 3 days, one of his teachers observed that his hands were shaking. My son didn't realize until it was pointed out to him. Then 5 days later he completely passed out and had tremors. Fortunately he was at home and fell on carpet and did it in front of me so we could get help. The doctor immediately took him off the Abilify. We were so hoping the Abilify would work.
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I have had resistant depression for about 3 years. Started Abilify 2mg two months ago and feel like a new person. I can get out of bed in the morning and go to work. I have a desire to do things again with friends. Don't spend the weekends in bed anymore! I am so thankful--this has helped me tremendously.
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Have been taking 5 mg for 3 weeks. Feel great and no depression. I can only sleep 5 hours at a time. My doctor is cutting me down to 2 1/2 mg taken in the morning once a day. I also have a feeling of heavy muscles or heavy limbs, working out with my cardio has felt a lot harder than usual. Will update on how the decreased dosage goes.
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I developed Tardive Dyskinesia and Dystonia after having taken Abilify (for too long apparently). It has made my life far more difficult. I am posting this because I just want to make people more aware that this happens so it doesn't happen to them if they can avoid it.
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This medicine helped me with my depression a great deal but I had to stop taking it because of the side effects. I developed Akathisia, inability to sit still. I couldn't even sit through dinner. I had to constantly be moving. I am now trying Seroquel XR but have developed a twitch in my arms and legs.
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Abilify has caused some weight gain and I feel like a slightly depressed zombie throughout the day. I am taking an extremely low dose of this medication. I want to feel better but some days it is difficult.
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TWO WEEKS SINCE I STARTED ABILIFY 5MG, I CAN NOW GET OUT OF BED AND ENJOY MY LIFE. I AM UP AT 4AM, BUT SO IS MY DAD AND 4 DOGS WHICH MAKES ME GO TO BED EARLY. BUT THROUGHOUT THE DAY. I AM A TOTALLY NEW AND FUN PERSON. I HOPE IT LASTS.
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At a tiny 1 mg dose this drug was wonderful for about a month. Instead of having a crazy sleep-till-noon schedule, I started to wake up in the morning on my own. I wasn't as tired, and I got a lot of things done. Which alone helped my depression. I was also able to start exercising and eating right without crazy cravings - so I lost about 10 lbs.
The doctor increased me to 2.5mg/day and things really went downhill. I can only sleep for 4-6 hours at a time, so I have to nap twice during the day and as soon as I take the medicines I'm so tired I'm basically incapable of driving. I'm cutting back down by half today hoping it was a dosing issues.
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Over the years I've tried a number of different medications. I tried switching to Abilify from Seroquel because of weight gain.
My mood on it was good, but the side effects far out weighed any positive reaction. I couldn't sit still and I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. As far as all of my experiences with medications it's probably the worst I've ever felt. I literally did not sleep for DAYS, I couldn't concentrate, I couldn't get comfortable in ANY position (standing, sitting, or even laying down), and I felt like my thoughts were out of control. But it was worth a shot. I went on to a combination of Zoloft and Lamictal, which works very well for me.
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I really think this drug has been a life saver. But be careful with the dosing-sometimes less is more. I currently take 2.5 mg and that is enough to pop me out of the depression. At 5 mg I was very "flat," anxious, and my joints ached. Everyone is different, but this drug can be very helpful.
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I'm not sure if Abilify worked or not. I know I didn't feel worse after 3 weeks of taking it. I did and do now have terrible muscle and joint pain that I never experienced before taking abilify. I had to stop taking it because of this side affect.
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I have suffered from major depression since Junior High School. In the last 4 or so years all anti-depressants stopped working for me. I am in my 40's. Abilify has helped me tremendously. The only side effect I seem to have is bad headaches but I guess the price is worth it as I am starting to have a life again.
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I am only 17, but after having suffered moderate to severe depression and after trying several different medications, I began taking Abilify. It has worked extremely well and I have only had one "meltdown" since. I am very happy with it and have not noticed any side effects.
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Something just "cliked" after I started taking this medication. I’ve suffered depression my whole adulthood and nothing seemed to do much of anything. Less than I week taking Abilify I wanted to be active; I'm happier, and more outgoing. So far no noticeable weight gain.
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I was withdrawn since my last psychotic break and this medication seems to be what fixed that. There was no weight gain. There was some trouble sleeping for the first two weeks. Over all I'd say this is the best antipsychotic I have tried.
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bassoon_banjo_girl said: 
