Abilify for Depression User Reviews (Page 2)

• bri...
• February 25, 2014

"Been on all sorts of meds for depression for about 15 years. I am 41 now and just started taking Abilify about 8 days ago. I started feeling better after 3 days. I have more energy and just feel so much better. I hope this helps. This medicine really works."

• Koo...
• June 18, 2014

"I have suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and depression for years and have been on many different meds. The longest being Luvox. I decided to see a new psychiatrist, and she took me off of the Luvox and put me on Prozac, gradually increasing it to 60mg daily. OCD improved, but depression and GAD didn't. She then put me on 2mg Abilify added to my Prozac daily. In three days, I started seeing improvement and feeling better than I have in many years. Life had been a struggle for me for so long, and now I feel better than I have in years. I sure hope and pray that I continue to feel this way. Yes, my appetite has increased, and I am gaining some much-needed weight. I would still prefer these minor side effects than to go back to the old me. I give Abilify a 10."

• jsm...
• June 16, 2010

"This drug has DRASTICALLY improved my life. I hope it keeps working! I battled depression and anxiety for 15 years tried dozens of drugs, no drugs, diets, therapy, you name it. I even self-medicated with alcohol for a short while. Recently, my depression and anxiety got so bad I gained 30 pounds, couldn't get out of bed, and was suicidal. On Abilify, I feel normal, a feeling I haven't had in a long time. I'm motivated to make the most of my day, the crying spells and suicidal ideation have stopped, and I sleep like a baby. I had just about given up on medication, thinking they may be the root of my increased depression, but Abilify has been a lifesaver! No negative side effects for me!"

• Anonymous
• May 21, 2008

"Something just clicked after I started taking this medication. I’ve suffered depression my whole adulthood and nothing seemed to do much of anything. Less than a week taking Abilify, I wanted to be active; I'm happier, and more outgoing. So far, no noticeable weight gain."

• gar...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2014

"Tried many different antidepressants for depression and anxiety. Ended up on 45 Remeron and 2 mg of Abilify. Worked after 2 days. After months of debilitating depression and anxiety! I am so thankful. Was worried about taking an antipsychotic, because I'm not bipolar or psychotic. Got over that as soon as I saw results. Will take this medicine as long as needed. Miracle truly!"

• Ang...
• May 24, 2013

"I suffered from extreme depression a year ago, months on end. I tried everything and was on the verge of requesting hospitalization. I took every medicine out there and then my doctor prescribed 2mg of Abilify to augment the Remeron I was on. In 1 day, the nightmare was over. 1 day after months of such severe anguish that I wanted out! Today, I ran into a pharmacist from my pharmacy while out and about. She told me that her customers who are starting Abilify are reporting that their life is changed, etc. I see from the posts here that not everyone has a life-changing experience, but I can tell you it was a lifesaver for me. If you are at your wits' end, try this as an adjunct to your current medicine. It might be the ticket out of your suffering."

• Abi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 8, 2013

"For the past 20 years, I have been on antidepressants, the longest being Remeron. Along with the depression, I have had periods of intense anxiety, unbelievably intense, to the extent that I could not stand to be here. In December of 2011, I was in the throes of anxiety, and my psych doc suggested 2mg of Abilify (in addition to the Remeron). My anxiety was GONE in a day, and it has stayed GONE. My depression is gone as well. My pharmacist has told me that others have had a similar experience and are as amazed as I am. I can't say enough about this medicine, amazing, just amazing."

• Oli...
• May 13, 2014

"I had moderate to severe depression on and off, mostly on, for years. Nothing seemed to work, until I tried Abilify. I take about 2-3 mg a day. I have been on it for five years now with no side effects and no recurrence of depression symptoms."

• HB1...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2017

"I have had chronic mild depression for most of my adult life. I took Prozac for over 20 years but it really didn't help. I was then prescribed Citalopram 40 mg, which did make a positive impact on my depression. When it wasn't quite enough, my doctor prescribed 2 mg of Abilify - which I have been taking for over 3 weeks. I can only say that this med works. I have never ever been a 'morning person', but since I started on Abilify, I have been getting up very early and taking on the day with a lot of energy and positivity. In my view, this medication does work as a supplement to existing antidepressant medication. Only side effect experienced thus far is mild insomnia (no weight gain at all - at least so far)."

• Dor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2024

"I was severely depressed. Lost my husband of 60 years 2 years ago. I felt so bad words cannot describe!! My provider put me on Abilify and I FEEL ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL!! It’s like I stepped into a new body!!"

• A92...
• May 12, 2017

"I am very very sensitive to medication. My psychiatrist and I tried several meds before landing on this one, which my body can actually tolerate. I was extremely depressed. Nothing seemed to lift the fog. After taking Abilify 2mg (at night), I noticed its benefits a week later. I'm more determined, focused, and actually want to get healthier. No suicidal thoughts. Don't feel like a zombie. It does make me sleepy which is why I take it at night. It's been almost a month on this new medication and so far so good."

• the...
• February 11, 2015

"Don't let others' bad experiences prevent you from trying this medication. It is strong, yes, and it will affect the chemical balance in your brain and shouldn't be taken lightly, but I'm an example of it working. I used to have bouts of crying randomly, seriously depressed, no will to do much of anything. I started this, kept with it through the side effects and it has been a life changer with my antidepressant. I still feel, but less intensely/exaggerated. It keeps me level-headed generally. The first week I felt a little nauseated, and it does increase appetite, but if you don't overeat, you won't gain weight with this medicine."

• Aus...
• August 25, 2013

"I started 20 mg of Prozac over a year ago and it has since been increased to 60 mg a day. In addition to that, I started BuSpar 5 mg about 6 months ago and that also has been increased to 15 mg a day. Even between the two, I still didn't feel like myself again. Then, I started 5 mg of Abilify a month ago. It has been a blessing. I am doing better now, becoming less introverted, and I get great satisfaction over small things like simple conversations with friends and family. Initially, it was difficult for me to be okay with admitting I was depressed to begin with. I was a little hesitant to take a medicine originally prescribed to those with schizophrenia. Now I am proud to say that I take it because now I have my life back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2017

"I have been treated for situational depression that turned into a chemical imbalance and have tried just about every SSRI/SNRI out there. I was on Cymbalta 60mg alone for several years and even with Abilify 2mg, but it wasn't until I tried Cymbalta 60mg with Abilify 5mg that I saw real results. I have more energy than I have had in several years, my anxiety and social anxiety levels have diminished to almost non-existent. I don't seem to have any side effects from the Abilify. Hope some of you try my advice."

• Bos...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2013

"I was prescribed 5mg of Abilify as a 'booster' to the Wellbutrin 200mg I have been taking for over 5 years. The combination is great! I felt like myself in only a few days and it has continued to be effective over the past 18 months that I've been on the combination. I would highly recommend talking to your doctor about this, it has changed my life!"

• Swa...
• January 23, 2020

"I benefit from Abilify for MDD. I noticed a huge improvement in my functioning and am able to get more things done. It's not that I have extra energy, I just feel less overwhelmed by doing things and therefore am able to do them. It has helped me lose weight by increasing my ability to be active, and also decreasing my stress/emotional eating. It increased my sex drive, which was something I was struggling with during depression. Overall, I recommend this drug for MDD. However, I just recently increased from 7.5mg to 15mg and am starting to feel dizzy and get headaches. Maybe this will lessen or pass soon. If it gets worse then I'll reduce my dose. But I've found this medication to be particularly helpful whereas I've tried a LOT of other meds and found no results. I am also taking Lamictal 200mg for BPD/PTSD."

• cyc...
• January 22, 2015

"I was in severe depression. Working with a great psychiatrist who had me on Lamictal and Celexa with no change. He added 2.5mg of Abilify and by the 2nd day, I was myself again. Still feel great with good energy level and ability to cope."

• CMH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2013

"I have been taking different depression medicines for over 20 years. I've been taking Celexa for the past 4 years, but even with an increase, I noticed no difference. I didn't realize that depression was causing me to sleep constantly. I could barely function due to my fatigue. I'm a homemaker who could barely get through one little chore a day. After starting 5mg of Abilify, I am a new person! No more naps, rested in the morning, and getting a lot accomplished every day. I am so relieved and feel so much energy! My appetite has increased, so I hope this is a temporary side effect. Sometimes I feel like I can't sit still either, so I may cut back on the dosage. I've got my life back and so hope this medicine can help others that are suffering!"

• Ken...
• October 17, 2014

"I have had it all basically. Had a manic episode in 2009, and then a repeat in 2011, but not as severe. I was okay before that, had no problems with anything, maybe a little anxiety. Now that I am older and on my own most days, I've had some pretty rocky months, and I was concerned and a bit frightened that the depression would rip me up. I was hesitant to try it because I take Ativan during the day. My doctor suggested Abilify. I have bipolar as well and can't take any antidepressants. He told me to start with a quarter for a week, and really thought it wouldn't work. It was a miracle. I then started taking 2mg at night and have been noticing I've been waking up earlier. Doing things that I would hold off till 3 pm. Wonderful."

• MSE...
• November 12, 2013

"I have been depressed most of my life. It runs rampant in my family. I really don't have much to be depressed about. I have a good life. I have some bumps. I've been taking 'Sertraline 200mg/daily' forever. I was stuck. There were days I would stare out my window for 8 hours doing nothing. Zero energy, zero interest in anything. I had to force myself to do things. I thought some of this was due to being menopausal, but the doc gave me Abilify. I started with 2mg. About 2 weeks later, I felt something but not enough. I went to 4mg a day with my depression pills. I'm telling you, in one week, someone turned the light on. Amazing. Energy, interests, everything. But the cost is unattainable. I have no insurance, I've been getting free samples. It's $1400/month. Help, I can't go off these."

• Jan...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2021

"I took Abilify 10mg for several years. It really helped me stabilize my moods and get my depression under control and took away a lot of my urges of self-harming behaviors. I have found Abilify much more helpful than any other traditional SSRI/antidepressant I have tried in the past like Lexapro, Prozac, and Zoloft. None of those medications really made a significant impact. The reason I stopped taking Abilify is because of the weight gain. Personally, antipsychotic medications have always caused weight gain for me. I gained about 50 pounds while on Abilify. I switched to 50mg Lamictal and have started losing some of the weight. Abilify can really be life-changing, but you just have to be aware of the possible side effects."

• Eli...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 7, 2023

"A light switch has been turned on! Actually, ALL of the lights in the stadium are on!! I have suffered from depression for 20 years. Was I suicidal? NO, but I realized after the 10mg dose began to work that I have not felt like myself for over 10+ years. For the last 7 to 10 years, I have been on Prozac 40 mg, Wellbutrin XL 300 mg, and 40 mg of BuSpar per day. I have never had the kind of success with any drug that I have had with Abilify. I feel like my creativity is back, I feel like my desire to get out of bed is back, I feel like my motivation to do projects and organize in my house is back, and I feel my desire to communicate and reach out to friends and family is back. I really do hate it for anyone who has negative side effects with Abilify because it has changed my life in three short weeks! I highly recommend it."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2018

"I’ve been very depressed since losing my mom two years ago. My depression had worsened to the point where I could hardly drag myself out of bed in the morning. I’ve been on Celexa for anxiety & depression. It was like a magic bullet for my anxiety but did nothing for my depression! My doctor started me on Abilify two weeks ago and I can actually feel it working! I’m actually doing things without having to drag myself. Another positive thing: I’ve always had wonderful dreams at night, but have never had a single dream since I lost my mom. I actually started having dreams again! I feel like my brain is waking up from a long sleep!"

• Wen...
• June 26, 2018

"I started taking Abilify along with my Cymbalta. After a week, I began to feel incredible. This drug has helped me to focus. I'm doing creative things that I haven’t thought of for years. I feel self-confident. No negative thoughts."

• TJE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2013

"I have been dealing with a bout of clinical depression since roughly November 2012. It followed a surgery gone wrong, which messed me up physically & mentally. I ended up admitting myself to a psych hospital where I spent 9 days. They upped my Zoloft from 50 mg to 100 mg and did nothing else. I left there feeling just as bad as when I was admitted. Upon seeing me following my hospitalization, my psychiatrist recommended Abilify 2 mg as an add-on. He indicated that he'd been very impressed with the quick response a number of his extremely depressed patients had upon adding Abilify. I started taking 2 mg two weeks ago. I cannot believe how good I feel after about 7 months of Major Depression. Must try if you take an SSRI!"