Abilify for Depression User Reviews (Page 4)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 19, 2019

"Abilify is not the answer. I have been taking it for 3 years. I am emotionally numb and have gained 35 lbs. I now have issues with cholesterol, blood sugar, and thyroid function. I still hear voices and have gone through some of my darkest episodes of depression. Blocking dopamine levels is not the answer. It disturbs homeostasis and cures nothing. The psychiatric community is reaching for an answer when they still don’t understand the disease. They cannot measure dopamine levels and have no idea if high dopamine levels are truly the cause of psychosis. The side effects are not worth it especially when it doesn’t cure psychosis."

• Isl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2019

"I was sleeping up to 15 hours a day on this drug. I would leave work early nearly every single day because I was so exhausted. If there were any positive changes to my mood, I didn't notice because I was either sleeping or half-asleep 75% of the time."

• Mel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2019

"I started Abilify approximately 6 weeks ago, 2 mg. I had finally found a drug to help me. I was happy, busy, catching up on things I had let go. Then I noticed my legs were very weak. I thought I was anemic again, or was it a statin for my cholesterol? So, I had to see my neurologist for dystonia. I told him about my legs. He had me do different motions with arms and legs, and told me to get off of this Abilify. It had affected the Dopamine in my brain, which has caused Parkinsonism and will last 6 months to 1 and a 1/2 years. When I walk, I’m exhausted and when I can, I use a scooter. I’m so sad and upset... this medicine worked, but very bad side effect."

• jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 24, 2013

"After 7 weeks on Lexapro & seeing no change at all in depression or anxiety, my primary care doc switched me to Abilify (only). I was on Abilify previously with Remeron and did well. I was told by doc on Friday 7/19 that I should start feeling better by Monday & he was right! I feel almost like myself again. Wake up a few times during the night, but am able to go right back to sleep. Still have some anxiety in the mornings (it used to be debilitating and would have to take 1mg of Ativan to calm down). This morning I only had to take 0.5 of the Ativan, so I think this is really working good. I also just got a new small dog on Sunday, which I'm sure helps also with the depression/anxiety but the change is so great I had to share."

• Sul...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 24, 2023

"This medicine is one of the best medicines I've ever taken. IT'S PRETTY MARVELOUS! It helps you for depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more. It calms your mind. I definitely recommend this drug and I think that you should give it a try."

• Hen...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2019

"I wasted a year of my life on Abilify stuff. It turned me into a zombie, made me gain 10 lbs, and compulsively shopped-even on just a 1 mg dose. It was added to my Wellbutrin to help with anxiety and agitation and sure it did help with that, but I found myself becoming more depressed from my side effects. Wouldn’t recommend. It’s an antipsychotic and it feels like one. I was not myself on it. I’m not suffering from psychosis, so why take an antipsychotic at all? I don’t believe in this at all as an add-on drug to augment treatment for depression."

• Psy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 4, 2014

"Beware Abilify, watch your weight. I stayed on Abilify for 7 months faithfully, hoping that the pros would outweigh the cons. The result? I gained 90 lbs in 7 months, and this weight does not 'shed' with discontinued use. I'll be working out hard to lose this. I'm only 25."

• emr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2024

"So far 2mg Abilify has been amazing at managing my depression and stabilizing my mood. I had absolutely no start-up side effects, and the only thing I've noticed is increased appetite, which I'm keeping an eye on. I'm also on 40mg of Celexa, which did wonders for my anxiety but left my depression pretty much untouched. I swear Abilify started working the first week, which NEVER happens for me with meds (Celexa took a good 3 months to totally work for my anxiety). After months of hell, it's so good to remember what it's like to just live your life and not feel like it's constantly ending. I promise if anyone is suffering there IS a solution, and you'll make it until you find it. I promise it will get better."

• APa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 6, 2019

"Abilify caused my eyes to roll to the back of my head, convulsions, and completely killed my personality. It removed my desire to self-harm, but it also removed every trace of personality that made me myself, enough to make my peers notice when I finally got off it. The side effects are horrid and have left me terrified of prescription meds."

• Jim...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 30, 2023

"It works amazingly well for depression. Persevere with the initial side effects, or adjust the dose accordingly. I started at 10 mg but had to reduce the dose to 5 mg due to akathisia. I am grateful that my psychiatrist strongly suggested that I stick with Abilify because it truly is changing my life after a decade of treatment-resistant depression."

• Spm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2024

"Been on Prozac for 10 years. Depression and anxiety under control but I have been very listless, uninspired, and unmotivated for a few years. Started Abilify a week ago, and what a difference! I'm feeling happier, motivated, and excited about life again. I do get a bit tired midday, but I hope that will wear off. I'm so relieved this is working."

• Mag...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 15, 2019

"A few days in of taking Abilify and my depression was literally blown away after 15 years in depression. My mouth got very, very dry, so I stopped using it. Now the effect has gone away, but I'll start today again."

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2012

"I started this medicine a week ago and found that I actually have energy again. After years of being so tired after work, I have to drag myself through the evening just waiting and wishing to go to bed. Now I can play with my kids, do some housework, and even relax for a while after I have accomplished so many things. I have done more in a week than in the last month. And I feel like planning things (like outings with friends and vacations) and I am excited about them instead of feeling like it was just another thing I HAD to do. I have had a little insomnia, but I find if I take it in the morning, I am okay by evening and sleep fairly well. I think and am eating more, so I will have to watch. Overall, good experience, hope it lasts!"

• Lea...
• September 1, 2015

"Taking this in conjunction with Wellbutrin and Buspar gave me my life back. My mood is stable, I'm happy, excited, and not over the top either. The trade name really describes this medication well, that's for sure. However, this isn't for everyone. Also, I must note the first 5 days kind of suck. I felt like my head was spinning and I felt nauseated like I was on a roller coaster all the time. Never threw up though. SO glad I stuck with it though. Well worth it in the end."

• Dee...
• February 5, 2017

"First I was afraid to start on this drug. I tried risperidone, it was horrible - I had nightmares and fatigue, and I felt very foggy. The doctor put me on Abilify 2.5 mg in addition to Effexor 300mg. It works very well, it gave me stability I've never had for long periods before. No ups and downs, it made my days better and really lifted my mood! When I tried to stop, I went into anxiety and depression, so I decided to go back on it. It's really worth trying! No side effects except a little fatigue. A life savior. No mood swings."

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2013

"Abilify has been a life saver to me. Initially there were side effects, but I was determined to stick with it and in time, they went away. I've been on a combination of different antidepressants which just didn't seem to be working. It seems that over time, they lose their effectiveness. The depression, anxiety, and panic attacks became so bad that I couldn't get out of bed, sleeping all day and staying awake all night. I had no desire or motivation to do anything. I began to become aware of suicidal thoughts which scared me. My doctor decided to add 2 mg of Abilify to my regimen and it has worked like a miracle. My only concern is that I am still feeling some anxiety, restlessness, and occasional panic which may be from the Abilify."

• coo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 5, 2013

"Abilify, along with Prozac, has worked amazingly for me. But there is a downside to using Abilify. WEIGHT GAIN! Once I started it, my appetite increased like crazy, and now I've gained about 60 lbs. It's like, do I want to quit taking it and go 'crazy' but be thin or keep taking it and be fat and happy, literally!"

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2019

"I was on Abilify for a short time. I was instructed to take it before bedtime, which I did. The medication would cause me to wake up and feel extremely restless, anxious, and claustrophobic to the point where I’d have to switch which room I was sleeping in due to how uncomfortable I felt. I never even made it past the first week."

• Anonymous
• March 3, 2009

"I really think this drug has been a lifesaver. But be careful with the dosing, sometimes less is more. I currently take 2.5 mg, and that is enough to lift me out of the depression. At 5 mg, I was very 'flat,' anxious, and my joints ached. Everyone is different, but this drug can be very helpful."

• Ano...
• May 16, 2023

"I started taking Abilify two weeks ago. I checked myself into psychiatric urgent care, where I spent the next couple of weeks doing outpatient. I was so iffy about taking Abilify since I have never been on medication before. I believe I was going through psychosis. I have severe depression, anxiety, PTSD, and social anxiety. I believe my last traumatic event brought everything to the forefront. Prescribed me 2.5 mg and in the last few days, they upped it to 5 mg, and wow, I have never felt this good before. I also take my antidepressant, Zoloft. I have Ativan as well for when I feel my anxiety is too much or if I cannot fall asleep. I’ve always been iffy about medication, but it helps. It truly does. There are chemical imbalances in our brains. I believe mine was affecting me completely, mentally and physically as well. Also, my skin has never been this clear in a very long time. My mind feels so much calmer. No overthinking, no intrusive thoughts, no paranoia, etc. Abilify saved me!"

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 11, 2019

"I’m presently weaning myself off of 2 mg of Abilify. I’ve been on it for 8 years, and in those 8 years, I lost interest in things I enjoyed, such as reading and hiking. My mind races, so I can’t concentrate if I try and read. I feel out of touch with the outdoors. I’m just existing. I’m not depressed or manic, just numb, and my sex life is a disaster. I have to force myself to have sex with my husband and pretend everything is fine, but I’m just not into it. My mind is numb. I want to feel again... live again. My concerns are that I may go hypomanic and crash into a depression. If I crash into a depression, I would use it just for those months only. I’m currently taking Wellbutrin and clonazepam. I really hope this works out."

• Cha...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2019

"I took a 2 mg dose of Abilify three days ago, and within hours regretted it. It is a horrible drug with horrendous side effects. I only took one pill, but due to its terribly long half-life of three days, I am still feeling nauseated, agitated, and have a stiff neck and sore joints. Yuck!"

• San...
• November 17, 2020

"I was put on Abilify, and it made me feel very strange. I went off it after a few days and was very glad I did. My daughter, who also suffers from depression, was put on it, and she went from weighing 120 pounds (at 5'6') and gained over 100 pounds in 8-9 months. During that time, she voluntarily went into the hospital for suicide ideation. I could hardly recognize her personality and was appalled to see her so morbidly obese when I saw her for the first time when I visited her to pick her up from the hospital once she was released. She looked like a zombie - pale, dark shadows under her eyes - and she was only 26 years old at the time. She went off it, and it took her a long time getting her weight down at a stable 150 pounds. Her poor body went through a really hard time, not to mention the bad effect it had on her mind. AWFUL!!"

• Tra...
• February 9, 2018

"After suffering with depression for 10 years, this has finally helped me. I also take Wellbutrin 300mg. I hated being on SSRIs because of the weight gain and lack of sex drive, which is not a problem with these drugs. I'm so thankful for Abilify 5mg, it has given me my life back!"

• Zho...
• October 14, 2016

"I have been on Remeron, Lamictal, Strattera, and for almost a year. I have been diagnosed with major depressive disorder, adult ADHD, and PTSD. In August, I was present when my best friend of 36 years passed away from cancer. Needless to say, that grief combined with MDD had me in a very bad space in my head. I went to my doctor and he suggested Abilify as an add-on to the Remeron, I was already on 45mg and he refused to increase. He also prescribed Buspar as a PRN for my anxiety. Within days, the dark pit I was in closed up, and I was able to breathe again. Although still grieving, it comes in manageable waves now instead of being 24/7. I have had very minimal side effects and take 5mgs in the morning. I would recommend this medication."