I was prescribed abilify in a very low dose, so my doctor said. I filled the prescription and never took it. I have some memory issues as a result of a mild aneurism. I didn't argue about schizophrenia diagnosis though i don't agree. I have been dealing with depression almost my entire life. My previous doctor actually took me off of medications altogether as she was afraid they might trigger another aneurism. Other doctor knows this though it has been 8 years before. Just in February I took a 5 hour energy drink to help me stay awake that nearly killed me. 55 beat per minute heart rate. Was in hospital observation for close to 24 hours. Let me out too early but eventually recovered. My first anti-depresants worked well at low dose (I split the pill down to 1/4) These were seroquel and effexor and that was in early 90's. They helped me get out the house, but i don't recall why my previous doctor took me off the pills prior to trying a series of other medication before she removed me completely due to sensitivity to side effects. The fact that i am vegetarian may cause stronger sensitivity i think. Anyhow, there was an ad on TV by lawyers sueing the seroquel and effexor companies. I didn't qualify. Then i search the internet about abilify and the first thing i see is a YouTube video that says ability kills and i told my recent doctor of this before i actually filled the prescription. He doesn't seem worried nor does his nurse. They are really pressing that they believe it would help me, especially with focus. The doctor tried to assure me that it was the lowest dose and that those results usually happen for someone who takes it long-term. He approved me splitting the pill dosage. On the other hand when discussing with his nurse that i filled the prescription and i decided to take it as needed, she was surprised and said it didn't work that way , that i had to take it everyday for it to work. I expressed my ill desire to be dependent on psychotics and prefer the natural way around. I search side effects and this forum to see if anyone has been helped by the drug and a number of things concerned me. Before i got to this website, I concluded that they should remove abilify off the market. If anyone dies from the medication, they cannot make a comment on this page. It seems these ones who were helped the most took 2.5 kilograms or less and for not more than two weeks. It would be helpful if this site suggests commenters list the dosage and length of time taken. This would make a more accurate measure on how long abilify can be taken before it kills. My medical goal is to go back to work and lead a normal working life. Though even physical factors contributed, I haven't worked a consistent job since early 90's. I am now over 40. Suggestions please. I would also like to hear from a loved one whose loved one actually died taking abilify and what their dosage was and length of time taken. Thank you
Does abilify help with focus?
Question posted by GodisPower on 1 Nov 2011
Last updated on 6 January 2021 by Also have questions
4 Answers
I take abilify and as a student growing up my GPA was a 2.78 and barely a 2.9 as an undergraduate. After taking this medication, my GPA jumped to a 4.0 in my master's work and a 3.91 for my doctoral work. I am able to hyper-focus when doing more difficult tasks in the field of computer science, which I began studying after my doctoral work was completed. I would work on Excel projects for my Data Acquisition and Analysis Class which required doing minor programming and I would start about 3:00 in the afternoon, for example, and when I completed the project I was stunned that it was after midnight and that I literally stayed focused for nine hours straight while completing the assignment. I no longer have the problem with concentration and I am able to focus for long periods of time while outlining the chapters for my more difficult subjects. I also have a 3.89 GPA in the field of computer science as well.
As I said above, I struggled to maintain a B average as an undergraduate and now I am able to perform academically at a very high level, which is very important to me both personally and professionally.
Hi, Godispower,
I found no benefit from abilify, and like our friend who replied earlier am pre-diabetic, have high cholesterol and triglycerides and carry an additional 70 lbs on my 5'8" medium frame. I wonder if there is a good herbalist or naturopathic doc in your area. I would take this route myself, but can't afford it. I am strongly resistant to allopathic meds, but medicaid won't cover the natural stuff. I wonder if your doc could recommend some vitamin supplements that may help. And thanks for telling about your exp. with energy drinks... those thinks are like drinking toxic waste.
Heartsgrace, I am sincerely in your corner in hoping that natural remedies might work. But in reality with something like Bipolar I disorder (the most serious form of the illness, which carries with it the probability/risk that you will have a manic episode, even with a psychosis, there is often no way to circumvent the pills. I tried abstaining for a year, thought that a miracle had happened, as I was doing so well... but then CRASH! had another episode. Yes I have all the side effects cited, even though am a normal 119lb weight! So it is "with cause" that I have had to cut out on ability. But you know, even though I am just now on depakote, it might be too good to be true without the abilify, MAY have another episode without it- only time will tell. So really it is a double-edged sword, as it held the episodes at bay for me...
Hey Slattery, I totally get where you're coming from. By necessity I am on 2 anti-depressants and an anti-anxiety drug. For me, I know there are herbs that can work, I even know some of the names. I didn't mean to step on anyone's toes. I was diagnosed with bi-polar in a hospital. When I talked to some friends later they said"you've never had a manic day in your life." My out patient practitioner changed the diagnosis to generalized anxiety disorder. So other than observing other patients while I was inpatient, I have no idea what its like to have manic episodes. What I DO knowis that people have had mental illness for millenia, long before abilify, seroquel, or lamictal were brewed up in some lab. My grandfather was a "root doctor" during the early part of last century.
I can remember a man coming to granddaddy's house and saying "Elsie's taken one of them spells again" Granddaddy fixed up a couple of herb teas and we all went over, I was quite small, but I remember Elsie acting like I've seen other people with bi-polar act. It took her husband, my daddy and granddaddy to get the first tea in her, but she calmed down after a while and took more tea on her own. Grandaddy talked to them about coming back before the teas ran out, I say all this because I wholeheartedly believe that herbalists are out there who can treat bi-polar, etc. And I fully support everyone in making the best choices for themselves that they are able. With deep respect I wish you wellness and wholeness.
Wow! That is a FASCINATING story heartsgrace! Since this was something that you witnessed with your own eyes, I am not contradicting that one. But here is something else which I can't argue with the medical profession about. For many centuries, ppl with classic symptoms of bipolar were sent to hot springs, which seemed to have a calming effect on them, and restore them back to themselves. This was before any of these drugs were invented. But guess what chemical was found to be in these hot springs? Lithium! It seems to be the case that the lithium was absorbed into their bodies, and so seemed to bring them back. I am not anxious to try that drug, but it does have a history of being a solid remedy for this disorder, so that the psychiatrists have gotten their facts straight about this chemical, as proven by history.
I also read that with some of the herbal drugs which people have been known to take, like St. John's Wort, you have to be really careful with it, as (although it IS known to affect mood), it can make you more manic than you already are. Then there is fish oil, which is harmless, and is noted to have a minor effect in improving mood swings. But as my doctor put it to me on Tuesday, with this illness, there is a risk that with a new episode, "you might not come back". I'll say that this is not just a stretch, as with the first episode I had, with a psychosis, I was gone for literal WEEKS. So without these man-made drugs, it could be that I never would have returned to the world at all. It is such a terrify thing, that it's not a chance I ever want to take again, especially bearing in mind that permanent madness is a horrific possibility. But I find your perspective to be totally correct - if it was just a case of depression alone, I don't know if I would wed myself permanently to drugs either.
Yes, Slattery, St John's Wort is potent, so much that when I could afford it I switched to a derivative called 5HTP, I totally agree that people should be mindful about what they put in their bodies. After all, herbs ARE drugs and some, like datura can save a life in the right, very small dosage. But an overdose is deadly.
I liked your story about the hot springs. This explains why I don't enjoy them--- I had a bad reaction to one dose of lithium! And again all of us are on our own journey's, and I respect your decision, absolutely.
Yes, absolutely heartsgrace, that is always what I say about psychiatry- that "one size fit's all" totally doesn't apply in this realm of science, and it is all to a large degree, trial and error. But no matter what I think and feel, I try to remember that psychiatrists are the one's with the degree, and what I feel is not always what they can see. This is their baby, not mine... and I no longer write their opinions off the way that I used to do. Because I saw for myself that their predictions about outcomes were often more valid than the direction and outcome that I had mapped out and planned for. I don't like the idea of being in the position of popping pills, but on the other hand, without the advent of drugs, we all would not be enjoying the lifespans which western civilization enjoys today. So that there has to be something to this thing.
Hello GodisPower,
Just wanted to share that I have been talking Abilify 15mgs for over 6 years with excellent results. It helps with the depression, keeps my mood stabilized and ultimately helps me concentrate. Everyone is different, but so far so good for me.
Laurie
Yes right on the money Laurie! I don't know how things are going to turn out for me just on depakote alone, so that is a work in progress. But I can tell you, if you line up abilify against some of the other drugs, especially like the first generation ones like haldol and thorazine, wow has medicine come a long way. And the difference to me between zyprexa and abilify was night and day, so I am backing the drug up on this basis.
Hi, Godispower. I just finished taking abilify permanently over the weekend, and today with my doctor's agreed consent. I had consumed 10mgs (which is a normal to low dose for bipolar I disorder) for a total of 16 months. But in the meantime, blood work showed that I acquired pre-diabetes, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, plus A LOT of gallstones due to the cholesterol build-up; even though I am on a mostly vegetarian, low-fat diet, exercise, and am about 119lbs.
Now, the doctor stressed that all of this stuff is RARE, doesn't usually happen with abilify consumption. but as luck would have it, all happened to me! I didn't feel that abilify interfered with my memory too much, and in fact after six years of zyprexa would recommend it in a heartbeat over that drug. So my advice is to try it at a low dose, but be aware that you should perhaps have periodic blood work for diabetes and cholesterol. Give the drug a shot before shooting it down completely.
Related topics
abilify, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, schizoaffective disorder, doctor, prescription
Further information
- Abilify uses and safety info
- Abilify prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Abilify (detailed)
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