Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews

• Saras...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I just got prescribed Abilify yesterday as a booster to my current anti-depressant. I'm currently take 300mg of Wellbutrin daily and I just don't notice any difference in my life. I feel numb I feel foggy all of the time. I feel very disconnected from life in general. I'm really praying that this helps I know that no pill is a miracle worker but damn it I need anything at this point that's positive. So I'm going to make another review a month from now or if there are any positive results sooner than that then I'll write a review before but I'm going to give it a month to see if anything changes mentally. So if you're reading this keep me in your thoughts please. Definitely need prayers"

• Matthew
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2024

Abilify (aripiprazole) "The best, simplest thing I can say about Abilify is this: two weeks into taking it, I suddenly wanted again. It was a feeling I didn’t know I missed, but I wanted to do things again. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt genuine motivation like that. I have both persistent depression and am in a major depressive episode. I have high levels of apathy and low levels of energy. For the first time in a very long time, I don’t feel like I have to fight my body to do anything. I feel good. It’s enough to make me cry — and not because I’m bursting into depression tears. The speed at which it has had an effect is also a relief. I feel better, and it’s been almost immediate. I haven’t been on it long. No side effects so far. On a low dose (2mg); psychiatrist intends to increase it soon. If experience changes significantly on increase, I will leave another review."

• Phren...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have very ruminative, treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) for which I've been hospitalized twice despite medication therapy and counseling. I have trialed at least twelve different antidepressants over the last twenty years, with modest results at best. During my second hospitalization, the attending psychiatrist presented a choice: lithium or aripiprazole (or neither, that was technically a choice, too). I asked him what he thought and his recommendation was aripiprazole, so we went with that. We started at 2.5 mg, then quickly moved to 5 mg. Within days I was no longer having mood crashes, my ruminations had diminished, and my mood had started to recover. I've stayed out of hospital ever since. I currently take 10 mg daily and experience no side effects. I still have my ups and downs (as is life) but my 'down' phases are shorter and much less severe. This med has been a lifesaver for me."

• Eano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Have never ever left a review on anything before but this drug Abilify has helped me so much so far. Was out of work, struggling to meet my basic functions necessary to live. I am now feeling like I can actually do things. I also suffer from anxiety and this has helped me so much with social anxiety/ physical symptoms from anxiety. Have been looking for a drug that will work for the past 5 years as I am treatment resistant. Give this a try people please!!"

• Jules
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I’ve had major depressive disorder for years. The past 3 years I’ve had weeks where I wouldn’t move out of bed except to go the bathroom, get a bottle of water & that’s it. I was wasting away. My doctor said I was malnourished. I didn’t care about anything, anyone or myself. I’ve started seeing a psychiatrist & therapist for almost 2 years, but had yet to find the right meds. Then, about 3 months ago my psychiatrist put me on Abilify. I went from 5mg to 7.5 to now 10mg. I take it along with Remeron & Lamictal. I feel better than I have in years. So far, no side effects. This is like the sun I’ve been searching for for many years. Happy tears. Honestly it saved my marriage."

• Connie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I finally got in to see a bonafide psychiatrist after seeing a LCSW for 4 yrs trying to find an antidepressant that would get me out of my vegetative state. He suggested Abilify. After 8 days on 5 mg I almost feel like living. I am doing things/projects I've put off forever. I am on 45 mg Remeron and 5mg Abilify. And I am starting to feel great and hope it continues. I had lost hope but I knew there must be something that would give me some motivation because I had none at all. I am 76 and have been depressed for the past 20. I think its time to enjoy life again!"

• CGoat
• April 17, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Abilify helped me go from hardly being able to get off the couch for months to cleaning the house. Things feel "possible", and you see something and think "I'll take care of that now." I'd say it doesn't make your mental state better so much as it fixes the body depression. I take abilify for MDD with Wellbutrin, and they're a great combo for me. The wellbutrin is great for my mood, and abilify allows me to get off the couch. I was worried when I started taking abilify because I didn't feel anything at all until day 9 or 10, so give it some time to start working. I haven't experienced any side effects, and have actually lost weight because of how much more I'm moving around. I'm on 4mg (two 2mg pills). One weird thing about the pills is that they're TINY, like 1/4 the size of a tic tac, no joke."

• Bella
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have been on Abilify (2.5 mg daily) for 3 weeks now for MDD. I also take Effexor XR, and have for several months now. After one week on the Abilify I began to have a dramatic change in my motivation. I keep myself busy now, where as before I struggled to do simple tasks. I do struggle with sleeping now. I used to be able to go to sleep anytime I wanted to with no trouble. Now I cannot sleep. I wake up by midnight, and spend the rest of the night doing things like painting, or online shopping!! I cannot sleep. I hope this side effect is temporary. I started taking 3 mg of melatonin before bed, but that only helps a little bit. The other side effect during night is night sweats. It is only after I fall asleep that the sweating occurs. When I wake up I am soaked in my sweat, not too different than when a fever breaks. As much as I want my ability to sleep back, I will continue to take the abilify because it is changing my life for the better. I no longer sleep all day, or lack motivation."

• Happy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I've been on abilify for about a month along side my Pristiq. Within a week my anger started to lessen and I was able to start to function again, even wanting to socialise and shower again. I am still showing improvements as the weeks progress. I do however , get manageable restless legs on 10mg. Its much more manageable than my anger was and if I'm moving or engaged with something I don't notice it. Prazosin at night counteracts the restless legs which I was on prior to abilify for PTSD nightmares. Live changer for me.."

• Harry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was on Abilify for 2 weeks and developed Tardive Dyskinisea quickly. It started with hip thrusting and then mouth smacking, eyes blinking. I couldn’t handle it. I was on a fairly low dose once a day. I also take a small dose of Reglan daily for gastroparesis and I went off of that and quit eating (can’t eat without it) to see if the TD would stop and it didn’t. So I am quitting the Abilify. I did have one positive experience though with Abilify and that’s that it brought me out of my extreme depression to where I was able to get up and shower and do normal things again. My depression had gotten so bad that I couldn’t even shower. So would I recommend this drug? Give it a try but make sure if you show any signs of TD to talk to your doctor ASAP!"

• NCMOMOF
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was suicidal from the age of 10 till the age of 45 years of age. I had a deep, constant desire to die, and nothing was helping them. I also suffered from major depression, borderline personality disorder, general anxiety disorder and binge eating. My doctor was at a loss of what to try. Finally after years of suffering I stopped having suicidal ideation now that I a on Abilify! I am now 47 years old. I am so glad my doctor put me on this drug. It saved my life."

• Rosa
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Abilify has changed my life in the month that I've been taking it. I wake up in the mornings now and actually look forward to the day, rather than waking up dreading the day as I did before starting this medicine. I think I'm also able to let go of things more easily that would tend ruin my whole day before. I'm not saying my problems have gone away but I'm able to deal with them so much better. The only drawbacks to this medicine is I'm eating a lot more. I think I just have to use some self-control."

• Loving...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 14, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Abilify was THE game changer for me. I've struggled with major Depression since childhood, and had taken pretty much every other drug out there (for 20+ years) before this was prescribed in a very low dose to augment another med I'd already been taking. I felt NORMAL for the first time in my life. No, didn't make me ecstatically happy--it made me feel that life was worth living for. Unfortunately, it didn't help with my anxiety, so I eventually switched to another med in order to take only 1 med, not 3. It was expensive but so worth it. No side effects whatsoever (2 mg dose)"

• Thesu...
• August 31, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "After trying over 5 medications (Lithium, welburtin, on, on,) I thought nothing would work and got into a really bad depressive episode not leaving house for months at time and thinking of just ending it all. Than finally heard of Abilify and it saved me. I am now up early, open blinds, smile, do things, laugh and im only on my second week. I am at 10 mg day and have No side effects, nothing but happiness. This medication saved my life, because after years of trying other non responsive medications I thought I couldnt live like that no more. Abilify is all i take but I heard you can add zoloft to it for a even better effect on depression and bipolar. I hope everyone find happiness and the sun shines for you. peace and love"

• BigEd
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "So far, and I grant you it's only been 3 weeks, but I felt the positive affects of Abilify almost within 2 days added to my Cymbalta which was NOT working on it's own. I had a lot of suicidal idealizations, barely could get off the couch no energy no hope, when Abilify was added at 2 mg per day with 120mg of cymbalta and it's, SO FAR working like a miracle for me! I actually laugh a bit now, I'm in better moods and have not had any depressive states in over 3 weeks, a bit of a record for me over the past 25 years/ I do not like to promote drugs, but Abilify or it's generic, same thing, is a miracle for me at least. I even started working out a bit as I am also disabled from a broken back and open heart surgery."

• LDano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was on Abilify 2mg 12/18-02/19, along with 20mg of Lexapro. First 10 days, I felt euphoric, energetic, motivated, excited about life. Well, it came to a screeching halt. I was fidgety, pacing back & forth, would sit & wiggle my feet & legs, was gaining weight, wasn't sleeping & thought I was going crazy. I continued to take it for another 6 weeks to give it a chance. That was a mistake. It was all I could do to make it through a whole workday. I thought I was going out of my mind. I have been off it for 2 years & still have mild side effects, still fidgety, have restless feet & legs, & don't sleep much. As for depression, I feel I was better off before Abilify than now. I appreciate that it has been a wonderful drug for many but where there are so many uncertainties of its effects, I would research it thoroughly before taking it. I don't think most doctors, including psychiatrists, have the slightest clue of how horrible this drug is for most. I would never recommend it to anyone."

• Hano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I haven’t been on Abilify for long but I already feel a difference. For months I was on 20 Mg of Lexapro which made me feel even worse and was only on it because I couldn’t find a psychiatrist. It really messed up my overall mood and made it very unstable, which it wasn’t before taking Lexapro. I’m on 2 Mg of Abilify and it is the first time in months, even over a year, that I’ve felt normal and relaxed. There are some side effects I’ve noticed like hot flashes, akathisia, extreme drowsiness, and hiccups for some reason. But this is the first time in a while I don’t feel completely numb or have my mind racing constantly."

• Mr Ob...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 21, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Abilify has made me RAPIDLY gain 40 pounds. Because of it I now am obese and have type 2 diabetes. I took it as an augmentation to my antidepressant to see if it would help with my treatment resistant depression. It helped a little but at what price? I'm so ashamed of how I look. I'm in the process of weaning off this horrible drug. Drug companies apparently don't care about terrible side effects....they just care about making money."

• Good2go
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2022

Abilify (aripiprazole) "After months of circumstantial and seasonal depression I'm finally asked for some help. I have treatment resistant depression and don't respond well to most antidepressants. After only one week of trying abilify (generic/2mg) I am back to myself...good to go! I am absolutely amazed with a difference it made in such a short period of time. No side effects other than a few hot flashes and those have subsided. I couldn't be happier that my doctor recommended me to try this!"

• RyRy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was exhausted and depressed with what mimicked chronic fatigue syndrome. I could barely stay awake everyday and getting through the work day was next to impossible. I also counterintuitively had horrible insomnia and took as many non addictive meds such as Serequel, Melatonin and Hydroxyzine to get to sleep. Even with these meds I still could barely get to sleep and stay asleep. I started back on my Abilify at 5mg two weeks ago and it’s changed my life. I now naturally wake up everyday at 7(ish) and have cut my sleep meds in half. I don’t take my Hydroxyzine anymore. I sleep throughout the night. I still drink coffee because I like it. But I am drinking 10 times less coffee now. I used to just down coffee in hopes that it would help my chronic fatigue, but it was to no avail. I’m not jittery. I’m not wired. I’m just alert and awake. I’m also less depressed."

• Anony...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 8, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I’m taking Abilify 2 mg for Borderline Personality Disorder. My life had been awful. I was very anxious and I didn’t like being around people. My moods were up and down on a daily basis and I went through 5 depressions that last about 6 months. I couldn’t maintain relationships because I would feel close one week and distant the next. Abilify has stopped the depressions. I cannot believe it. I get down and stressed just like anyone but I don’t get those debilitating 6 month depressions anymore. I take it with 300 mg of Wellbutrin, and 1.5 mg clonazapam . Thank you Abilify!!"

• Anony...
• August 14, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I am on Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Topamax for severe depression. I was still having depressive episodes and was placed on 2mg of Abilify. I instantly felt like a new person - what a relief! The "honeymoon" period wore off fairly quickly and I had to find my correct therapeutic dose at 20mg daily. With this combination of medicines I have been depression free for about a year! For me this is very unusual and I highly recommend Abilify. I have had no side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was put on 5 mg of Abilify 2 months ago to add to 60 mg of Prozac that had stopped working. I was afraid at first due to all the negative comments of weight gain. This medication is a blessing. Felt alive again after taking only 2 weeks. My life is better than ever. No weight gain. This medication does increase your appetite but if you don't over eat you will be fine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "My doctor prescribed me 5mg of Abilify to add onto a depression medication when I was going through a hard time. Maybe I had personal side effects, but it was a nightmare. I constantly felt restless- my legs would not stop moving and it was extremely difficult for me to sit at work for long periods of time. I also constantly would wake up with migraines and dry mouth. While it helped with my depression a little bit, it definitely increased my anxiety and ruined my sex drive. Abilify also caused me to have an insatiable appetite. I was always hungry and never felt full. Within 4 months of taking Abilify, I gained 20lbs. After going off the medication, 6 months later my appetite is noticeably different and I dropped 12lbs. Since being off the medication, I feel more like myself and that my personality is returned. Honestly, I can't recommend this unless you have no other options."

• NeG
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2023

Abilify (aripiprazole) "My diagnosis was atypical depression (a type of MDD) and was prescribed ability paired with lamictal. My ability dose was 5mg pill per day. From day one that I took it I became incredibly irritated. I felt agitated and restless almost immediately. I was so restless like I was itching from inside my chest and soul, I don't know how to describe it. I couldn't eat, couldn't feel hungry, slept less hours, had insomnia, felt stressed, felt anxious and constantly felt nauseous/stomach pain. The only benefit was that I had intense energy to get up and move but it didn't feel nice. My motivation of getting up was because of how irritated I got when I lay down or rest. Working out would help but never enough the calm down my restlessness. Overall I gave a chance for 1 month (plus a few days of withdrawing it with the assistance of my psychiatrist) and it didn't get any better over time. Horrible experience."