Abilify for Depression User Reviews (Page 3)

• yes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2014

"I have suffered with depression since I was 12 years old. Knowing manic episodes would pass, I still kept thinking I absolutely couldn't live my life this way. I tried everything - Prozac, Wellbutrin, Celexa, Lexapro, and Seroquel. Finally, after going back and forth with antidepressants, we decided to try Strattera with clonazepam instead of an antidepressant. For 10 months, I did fine until a few weeks ago when I had the longest and one of the worst manic episodes yet. Bed-bound and showerless every weekend. My doctor decided to try the Abilify 2.5mg. The first 2 days I was VERY irritable. I couldn't sleep at all, slowly those side effects are going away. I cannot describe how great I feel now, sleep still interrupted but much better."

• LAL...
• November 9, 2015

"My Lexapro stopped working, so I was switched to Prozac. While Prozac did help some, it didn't help enough. My psychiatrist prescribed Abilify at 2mg to add on to 60mg of Prozac. Within 2 days, I was pulled out of the dark hole I was in, and my crying spells were gone. This pill is a miracle pill."

• Sap...
• February 26, 2019

"I think that 2 mg does not cause weight gain. On the 5 mg, I noticed weight gain. I took 2 mg and when I needed a jolt, I took 2 of the 2 mg tablets for a few days, then went to just 1 of the 2 mg tablets. It's like after 2 years, it wasn't working as well, but I will not go off of it again. It pulled me out of bed for over a month, I was just laying around, not wanting to do anything, and after 2 days of 2 mg tablet, it felt like the lights were turned on again when nothing else would help. I have not gained weight at all on 2 mg."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2012

"I have a longstanding history of depression and anxiety. I've taken many medicines with some horrible experiences. I also seem to 'wear out' on a medicine. That is, its effectiveness diminishes over time. I had a recent severe episode of major depression, so my doctor decided to switch my antidepressant (Lexapro to Zoloft with Wellbutrin unchanged) and add Abilify. Having gone through this before and warned by my doctors not to expect anything for several weeks - imagine my surprise when I got to the end of the 3rd day I'd taken it and felt a little better. On day 4, I knew I was responding to the medication. Within a few more days, all of my symptoms resolved. It was just short of a miracle! I have experienced no side effects, which is a relief."

• JFW...
• December 21, 2016

"I was in a deep depression about a year ago. I was taking Lexapro and Ativan. I saw very little improvement after five months. My doctor added 2mg of Abilify. Within two days, the clouds had lifted. The worrying started to dissipate. I was able to think clearer with each passing day. I did notice a weight gain, but my doctor said this was because I was feeling better. I dropped the Abilify after about six months. My advice is to stay with it. As with most drugs, you start to feel better and don't need it anymore. Wrong. Circumstances come up and you are in the pits again. I started back on Abilify last night."

• Sgt...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 30, 2012

"I was put on Abilify a month ago. I have always been manic/depressive. I suffered post-traumatic stress in Iraq in 2007. I said NOTHING and am still serving as a National Guardsman. I work in law enforcement during the week. I USED to sleep all day on my first day off. It was a struggle to do ANYTHING on my second day off. Since I have been on Abilify, my life has done a 180-degree turn. I feel so much better. I get up and face the world every morning at 6-8 am. I feel like a new person."

• Som...
• November 29, 2016

"I take generic Cymbalta and have been for 2 years. One day, it just sucked. I was feeling really down, depressed, and living like a hermit. I have been taking 10 milligrams of Abilify on top of the Cymbalta 60 milligrams, and so far, I actually feel normal for the first time in my life. I am now smiling, going out, looking forward to fresh air, and having conversations again. Thank you, Abilify, I am now getting back to life."

• sku...
• December 13, 2015

"I was feeling like I was in a hole and couldn't get out of it. Nothing was working. I am now on Lamictal and Abilify, and within a week, I was feeling better. I take them both at night. I don't know if that makes a difference, but I always wake up early with lots of energy and ready to do whatever, whereas before all I could do was lay in bed. I hope I don't gain any weight, I haven't yet and haven't experienced any overeating. I'm on 10mg of Abilify and 200mg of Lamictal. So, they have both worked wonders for my depression. With no side effects that I can see yet."

• dym...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 27, 2016

"Was on Prozac for the last 4 years to treat my depression, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts until my Prozac pooped out. I upped my Prozac with no relief. I tried other SSRIs: Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, which only made my condition worse. I even tried an SNRI, Cymbalta, with no relief. 7 months later, I finally got to see a psychiatrist. He put me back on Prozac 10 mg and augmented with Abilify. It took a month before I decided to try it because of the cost ($110.00 for 30 2mg pills). I felt it working 2 days later. After 1 week, my intrusive thoughts went away and my depression lifted with anxiety gone. I had zero side effects. It's been 10 days now, and I feel myself again, going out and doing things. For me, Abilify is a perfect fit, I hope it lasts."

• Rak...
• November 16, 2014

"I have been struggling with postnatal depression for nine months; really, for the last 2.5 years as I had two babies 19 months apart. I was placed on Wellbutrin which helped with the physical effects but did not improve mood. I was then placed on Lexapro, then Prozac, then Zoloft and although some did improve my mood, they all made me so tired I couldn't stay awake. They also made me feel disconnected and like I was observing emotions instead of feeling them. I was cold. Finally, my doctor gave me Abilify to use with the Wellbutrin and it has completely changed my whole aspect. I feel like myself, for the first time in years. I am awake, working hard, engaged, focused... it's my miracle! Even if it is $800 a month!"

• Anonymous
• September 13, 2009

"I have had resistant depression for about 3 years. Started Abilify 2mg two months ago and feel like a new person. I can get out of bed in the morning and go to work. I have a desire to do things again with friends. Don't spend the weekends in bed anymore! I am so thankful--this has helped me tremendously."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 28, 2016

"Been on many antidepressants with little or no relief of symptoms. Was currently on Cymbalta with little relief and asked my doctor about Abilify. Was prescribed 5 mg. Within a week, I felt like myself again. I rarely left my house for two years. I have visited family, even able to go to public places."

• Wha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 30, 2016

"I have suffered depression most of my life and finally was 'diagnosed' by a psychopharmacologist in 2011. I have been on pretty much every antidepressant known to man over the past 20 years and finally was put on a cocktail of Lithium, Prozac, Wellbutrin, and Clonazepam (at bedtime). I had also taken Abilify at this time for about 1 year but the doctor felt I probably didn't need it anymore as I was stable. However, for about the past 2 years I have been suffering from MAJOR fatigue and some days I was unable to go to work as I was so tired. My GP has just put me back on Abilify 5 mg and I feel fantastic. I have so much energy and I have found happiness and enjoyment in the things I had lost interest in."

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 24, 2017

"I am 6’4, 185 pounds, and had 2mg generic ABILIFY added to my 450 mg Wellbutrin. It works. I could feel the improvement within a week. I have more energy and motivation to do things. I don’t dwell on negative things as much as before. It appears that low doses of this drug are the best as an adjunct to antidepressants for depression compared to higher doses. Higher doses are better for the other indications. It does seem to be somewhat constipating for me, and others have different GI side effects. But the benefits far outweigh any transient side effects."

• jwj...
• February 27, 2016

"Our 12-year-old son was having terrible anxiety and could not get along with anyone at school. He did not trust anyone and would not listen to anyone either. He suggested suicide more than once but thankfully never went through with it. We regularly saw a therapist but he would not listen. We reluctantly decided to add the smallest dose of Abilify to his depression medicine. In approximately 2 days, we saw an immediate change. He seems more 'balanced' and the anxiety level down significantly. It has only been 2 weeks... but so far so good."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 7, 2013

"I have suffered from major depression since I was a child, and my psychiatrist put me on Abilify 10mg after a suicide attempt. This medicine has helped me tremendously! I actually have energy and motivation now, and without Abilify, I don't know where I would be today. The only side effect I have noticed is some shaking but not too bad. I told my psychiatrist about it, and she put me on Cogentin 1mg, which helps a lot with the shaking! I would definitely recommend this medicine!"

• Ran...
• November 8, 2015

"My anxiety and then depression began about 4 months ago. I didn't want to get out of bed, and had compulsive negative thoughts, no energy or motivation, and couldn't sleep, lost 20 pounds. I was prescribed Lexapro generic. This med did almost nothing for 3 months. Within a week of adding Abilify generic, most symptoms changed. I feel much better, have appetite, better energy, optimism, more like me, and motivated to get out of bed when I wake up... which is great."

• Don...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2016

"I've been taking Venlafaxine (Effexor) for about 5 years for depression and anxiety, but my dosage had to be increased by my psychiatrist a few times. He suggested I try 2 mg of Aripiprazole (Abilify) for a couple of months. I've been very pleased with the results. I find I have more energy and I'm able to complete tasks without procrastinating. My thoughts have become much more positive, and I don't fly off the handle the way I used to. Negatives are waking through the night every hour on the hour, and I'm not the night owl I used to be, which is probably a good thing. No weight gain either. Reading the other stories, I can see many people have side effects, so I can't recommend it, but it could also turn your life around."

• JC ...
• February 9, 2017

"I've dealt with profound depression most of my adult life. I've gone the gamut of most antidepressants with varying degrees of success. Most, even the very useful, usually lose potency after a few years. Out of desperation, my physician prescribed a small dose of 2 mg of Abilify in conjunction with Wellbutrin. Within a few days, my energy levels skyrocketed, and my mood greatly improved. Even though I'm concerned about the many side effects, I plan on staying with it while it still helps."

• Sha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2017

"I have experienced depression for years now and nothing seemed to work or I would get all of the side effects. A few weeks ago, my Dr. prescribed Abilify and wow, it works. I am taking 5mg a day currently. I say give it a try. It improved my mood and my depression after a few days. It has given me a better quality of life with my 10-year-old son. It has pulled me out of the dark. I hope it keeps working."

• Jus...
• March 26, 2014

"So this stuff worked wonders on depression. I couldn't believe how fast it worked and how much better it made me feel, and I mean like in less than a week! BUT the bad news for me, I had a rare side effect, the first one of my psychiatrist's patients to ever get it and he had to look it up to confirm that it was being caused by the medication (although I knew it was for sure)... It made me go blind! I don't mean black out blind, but rather it made it so my pupils couldn't dilate and constrict properly so I couldn't focus my eyesight enough to even read anymore. So, 10 days after starting it I stopped and luckily 3 days after stopping my eyes started to return to normal, but that freaked me out beyond belief!!! Worked great for depression."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2021

"I suffered from severe anxious depression for almost 2 years. I even spent $4,000.00 in early 2019 out of pocket for a series of ketamine injections. I was a full non-responder to ketamine for depression. Less than 2 months ago, I started 2 mg Abilify added to my 50 mg Zoloft, in just 7 or 8 days, my depression was GONE, as was my catastrophic anxiety-filled thinking patterns. I'm now on 4 mg Abilify along with 50 mg Zoloft. Abilify has literally changed my life 100 percent in such a short time. I have ME back!!"

• Anonymous
• August 29, 2009

"I developed Tardive Dyskinesia and Dystonia after having taken Abilify (for too long apparently). It has made my life far more difficult. I am posting this because I just want to make people more aware that this happens so it doesn't happen to them if they can avoid it."

• Lol...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 8, 2014

"Abilify has truly changed my life. Before I started taking it, I was crying every day for hours. A day, I felt a sadness for what seemed like no reason, and it just would not go away. I started with 2.5mg and felt no change, but at 5mg I felt a drastic improvement in my mood. I take it in addition to Adderall XR for ADHD. I was taking Vistaril for my anxiety, but that doesn't do anything but make you ridiculously tired, so I just got Klonopin, going to give that a try. My only drawback to Abilify is that for me it makes me very tired, so I take it at night."

• Sa1...
• April 10, 2013

"After thinking that antidepressants were just a huge money maker for the pharmaceutical industry, I was prescribed 2mg of Abilify in combination with Wellbutrin (300mg) and 10mg of Prozac. I feel like a new man. I just hope that the effects don't wear off over time."