Scared to start Abilify!

My husband just started Abilify 5 days ago. He has been suffering from depression and anxiety for almost 4 months. He was hospitalized for 3 days and they put him on effexor and olanzapine. After months of up and down he still is only at 60%. We finally met with a good Psychiatrist this last week after waiting 5 weeks for an appt. He switched him to abilify 2mg. Last night was his first night on 2mg of abilify and no olanzapine. He seemed more restless and that is a huge issue with him. He needs his sleep because of his job. The olanzapine made him super tired and gain weight. So I am hoping, praying down on my knees begging God to make this work. He just wants to be the husband and father he use to be. Thank you for your post ..my questions is should we ask his doctor if he should take it in the morning instead of at night? I'm just worried if he doesnt get enough sleep his anxiety and depression will worsen.

I keep reading about it being energizing but my doctor told me only to take it at night time. I wonder why.

And I know how you're feeling. I've been dealing with the same issues. My boyfriend is just watching it happen and feels so helpless because he can't do anything. Hang in there. I hope he gets to feeling back to himself again soon.

Steph, it can be taken at anytime, but every person reacts differently to the medication. For many people it IS sedating so best taken at bedtime, but for those, like me, who find it energizing it's better in the morning.
For now, you should follow your doctor's advice until you see how it affects YOU. If you have problems with sleep after the first week or so let your doctor know. WC

Can I ask what MG you started at? And are you taking anything with it? I do too much research and see its usually an add on but I'm taking it alone.

To jlr, definitely let his doctor know that your husband is having problems with sleep. Abilify can cause sleep disturbances in some people that sometimes resolve after a week or so, but you should keep his doctor apprised of his progress.
"Psychiatric:
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, restlessness"
Best regards and I hope all goes well for him. Wildcat

Thank you all for your advice. I will keep you updated on his progress! I hate mental illness and wish I could pull it out of him. 4 years ago was his first dip into major depression and he went on effexor at that time and for 2 years he was depression free, so with the okay from his Dr. he went off the medication the right way and was good for 5 months. He had a job change and stress (we have 4 kids very active in sports) made him slip again. This time around has been very difficult, he can't seem to kick the depression. We are hopeful that this new Dr. switching him to abilify will be the answer. I will pray for all of you! God has been my shoulder to cry on while I keep things together for our family. I am always searching the internet for advice and this is what it led me too. Thank you again.

Yes please let us know. Sometimes having people in similar situations to talk to helps a lot. It does for me anyway! I'm stating my abilify tonight and am terrified and just being on here helps me a little bit.

I was just prescribed ability today too, along with hydroxyzine and like you I am afraid to take it. I am on effexor they also upped the dosage on that from 150 to 225. I am so depressed and just irritable, everything gets on my nerves . I hope this helps me cause I can't take the rages I get into and the constant crying .

Hi Stephy,

Some people find that Abilify is working great for them, and it can be very helpful. Abilify can make you restless and causes tremendous weight gain. If you really want to try it out, I would say to start with 5mg daily insteead of 20mg daily. Abilify is an anti-psychotic drug which is more for bipolar or even schizophrenics. Best of luck.