Abilify for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• 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, 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 of 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."

• Kom...
• 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."

• Bil...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 2, 2020

"Be careful, Abilify caused a massive compulsive gambling addiction where I lost tens of thousands over time. I mentioned it to the doctor early on, but she ignored it, didn't note it, or change the meds. Guess I was hooked on the buzz. Stopped taking Abilify. Stopped gambling recklessly. Compulsive gambling addiction is a mental health disorder itself. Who'd have thought that the NHS would prescribe this dangerous drug that can cause it? Sounds ridiculous but true. There was a guy with Parkinson's prescribed it in England, went full on the National Lottery online games and scratch cards, etc. ... but won his case for not being advised properly of the potential side effects and got most of the losses back. They don't care for my complaint. A class action lawsuit is underway in the United States because it wasn't on the label. Suing a big Japanese pharmaceutical company seems okay. Lost all interest in work and drifted for 18 months."

• mar...
• 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 15 mg. It made my rage and aggression more manageable. I think this is a miracle pill. The only side effect that didn't go away was the restless leg syndrome. If you can afford this medicine, take it, it's great."

• Abi...
• October 24, 2018

"This drug made my life miserable, dumbed me down, made me like a zombie. Hardly any thoughts or expression, and then the big one... I couldn’t sit down! The side effect akathisia, which is intense restlessness, sounds like no big deal but it was an everyday, every minute struggle I suffered horribly! I’d walk down the street to pass time, I’d count hours till the day was over. I literally couldn’t sit down, I sat to eat and had to stand back up as soon as I stopped chewing. I smoked cigarettes for 8 years and I tried to quit every Sunday. Turns out that one treatment for akathisia is nicotine. My doc never picked up on it, and I was taking Abilify so long I thought it was just what I had become. When I went off of Abilify, I could live again. In almost every way. Not only can I sit down in peace, but I can think clearly. I didn’t realize how much it was dumbed me down. Don’t take this, just work on yourself, take other meds. This medication is like a mild lobotomy. Not worth it."

• Pol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2018

"I was once told by a man online that serotonin and dopamine are happy feel-good neurotransmitters. And that to contain my bipolar volatility, my doctor was turning down the volume. Side effect. I have no get-up-and-go. My head was once a storm, now a glassy lake. But there is no wind. No sound. No nothing anymore. I feel empty. Numb. Tired, weak, never sad, never happy. Just flat. I’m tapering off of all antipsychotics and moving on to lithium orotate. Life could be so much better."

• sam...
• November 17, 2013

"I feel the Abilify working on my depression. I am singing and happier than 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!"

• Kay...
• January 8, 2020

"I am 31, female with bipolar 1 along with depression (obviously lol), extreme social anxiety, and PTSD. I was on Abilify, all the way up to 20 mg for the last year or so. I truly thought it wasn't working or doing ANYTHING for me anymore, so I switched to Latuda. Well, the pharmacy was out of stock of Latuda, and I had just finished my taper off of Abilify, so I was about 4-5 days off of any mood stabilizer. And now I can say that although it may not have been as effective as when I first went on it, it definitely made a difference! Since the second week of my taper (down to 5 mg, then 2), I applied for some more credit cards and thought nothing of it. In the past 2 days, I have maxed out all those credit cards. It wasn't until last night that I put the connection to me not being on anything. I gained a little weight on it, but at the same time, I allowed myself to eat what I wanted and didn't exercise. During the taper, I tried Seroquel, and Abilify is nothing as bad as that weight-wise."

• Sue...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 3, 2023

"Abilify keeps me stable. Period. Awesome med with side effects for me though. Went through 15 years and 12 hospitalizations trying different meds. Finally put on Abilify and have been mostly stable for 15 more. When I can't think well, my dosage increases. I have a cycle though, I get tremors that are severe on higher dosages then try another antipsychotic. I eventually go back to Abilify at a lower dose because it is the best for me by far. Even though it has side effects, the results are well worth it."

• Jos...
• 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 haven'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."

• 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."

• Ama...
• 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 (2 mg 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 afraid to gain weight; you must know, I am losing weight. It has actually decreased my appetite, 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!"

• spr...
• 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 every day. My Dr. put me on Abilify, and I'm a new person! Very happy with the results. I have a life again!"

• mel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2016

"It's only been two weeks, but Abilify 2 mg, added to Wellbutrin 150 mg, 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."

• Fer...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2020

"Abilify helped with my manic episodes, but gained 15 pounds after a month and spiraled into a horrible depression that saw me in bed for weeks after I tried to come off the drug. Felt near completely disabled. Not for me."

• ky ...
• 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 Trazodone, all of which work in my favor. It is very comforting to know there is a medicine out there that understands bipolar patients."

• Ano...
• 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!"

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

"I’ve tried every mood stabilizer, typical psychotic and atypical antipsychotic for my Asperger's 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!"

• crj...
• 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 Clonidine 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 doctor prescribed me 2mg of Abilify and from that point on I feel like I have been cured, though I know I'm not. Bipolar 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 twice 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."

• Coc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

"I've been on Abilify 5 mg 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 2 lbs. I feel better and a little more connected to my husband and kids as compared to when I was on Quetiapine."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2021

"I was prescribed 2 mg 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 dialed 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!"

• Gol...
• 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."

• NHe...
• 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.'"

• boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2022

"Okay, this was the worst for me. I know some people love it, but it gave me severe akathisia to the degree that made every single day a nightmare. Could not sit still for more than a minute, could not sleep, super jittery, extremely angry... I tried it twice over the last 5 years, and both times were the same. I wouldn't take it again, not for a million dollars!"

• Dav...
• August 14, 2014

"I've been taking Abilify for eight months now. Although it made me gain 15-20 kg (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 that it didn't help ease the great fatigue I have. But it helped a lot, that is for sure."