Abilify and Restlessness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• July 18, 2012

For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder "I have been on Abilify for about 5 months now. It works wonders for my OCD, but it makes me restless and non-emotional. It might sound good to not be emotional, but when I say that, I mean happiness too. It numbs me. I have also gained 15 pounds, and so I am coming off the medicine slowly."

• Tha...
• September 16, 2011

For Tourette's Syndrome "My son is 19 and has had severe tics (screaming, mumbling, spitting, punching motions to name a few) for 4 years after having moderate symptoms since he was diagnosed at age 4. Last Monday, at our new neurologist's office, he was ticing roughly once a minute. He was prescribed Abilify, and the next day noticed a remarkable decrease in his tics. Unfortunately, he also had an extremely uncomfortable sense of restlessness. The doctor cut his dose in half, and my son has been experiencing mild tics approximately four times an hour since. This has been a miracle for him. He does not take any other medications. In the past, he had tried Abilify, but was taking Orap at the time as well, and had an increase in tics."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have major depression and was prescribed Abilify. The pros: It lifted me out of an incredibly deep depression and allowed me to feel better in a relatively quick amount of time. I was able to go back to work and started to socialize within a week of taking the medication after months of having difficulties getting out of bed. It stopped my compulsive thoughts and thinking patterns. The cons: Feeling of restlessness on the drug, unable to enjoy downtime and relax. I always felt like I had to be doing something constantly and keep busy. Weight gain: I was one of the 7% of people affected by this, where the drug slowed down my metabolism, and I gained 15 lbs in six months. Even with regular exercise (three times per week) and eating healthy, I still gained weight."

• Anonymous
• August 28, 2009

For Depression "This medicine helped me with my depression a great deal, but I had to stop taking it because of the side effects. I developed akathisia, inability to sit still. I couldn't even sit through dinner. I had to constantly be moving. I am now trying Seroquel XR, but have developed a twitch in my arms and legs."

• xox...
• June 30, 2016

For Depression "I was prescribed this medication after I already tried lithium and Seroquel. The lithium helped me a lot, and the Seroquel gave me bad headaches. So they put me on Abilify. I could not sleep no matter what I took to help, I was restless, I threw up, my body temperature switched from hot to cold rapidly. I couldn't stand without being dizzy. It was the worst experience. My depression was better, but my anxiety was insane. Definitely not worth the side effects."

• Hel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2024

"I'm at week five on Abilify and cannot believe the difference it's made with my OCD symptoms. The last several years, my OCD went through the roof due to several traumatic events and constant stress. I finally told my PCP just how bad the symptoms were and the enormous toll it was taking on me. I had severe social withdrawal, hyper-vigilance, paranoia, repetitive thoughts, intense anxiety, depression, rumination, and compulsive cleaning. The Abilify has taken most of my symptoms from a 10/10 to a 3/10 or 4/10! The side effects were a challenge, but hang in there, they do ease up after several weeks. Insomnia, which eased up, and pretty intense akathisia, which my doctor treated with an extra gabapentin dose. I'm also taking magnesium glycinate daily and Benadryl as needed if the akathisia gets really bad. I sort of just float through my day now, and that's such an amazing, welcome change from the constant, unrelenting OCD symptoms that were sucking my soul dry. Try it!"

• Voo...
• June 21, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "This is a good antipsychotic and does well for bipolar disorder. I was on 20 mg per day when I suffered a severe manic episode, so it is possible to have episodes while on the medication, but I should point out that I was not taking it every day as I was supposed to. The only side effects I get from this are restlessness, anxiety, and slight tremors."

• Anonymous
• October 10, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been on this for 2 weeks (only 4 mg). I have energy again and do not feel so sleepy during the day. I am still taking Seroquel at night-100 mg to sleep. Side effects are constipation and restlessness. I am now exercising again and able to drop the weight I had gained while on higher doses of Seroquel."

• tyh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "Abilify was prescribed to me to combat psychotic depression and associated anxiety. However, it caused increasing akathisia (restlessness), seriously blurred vision, insomnia, and 'brain zaps.' I'd wake up every hour through the night and finally start moving about at 4 a.m. I couldn't see anything and had to move all the time - if not voluntarily, I'd shake so badly that I had to be prescribed another medication... meant for Parkinson's! Couldn't eat or use my phone at all, and I was in excruciating pain. After 'tolerating' said symptoms for a week, I had a relapse. So no, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone based on my experience. It could be the one for you though. Be very careful, especially if you're in a vulnerable state."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2016

For Agitated State "It did lots of bad things to me. Increased anger. Sometimes when upset, just pick up a mug and smash it. Could not control it. Also, was violent with someone at least twice. Kicked a hole in the wall in the hospital. Jumped out of a moving car. Found it hard to stay in one spot for long. Probably had akathisia."

• Dea...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 10, 2022

For Agitated State "This drug has destroyed me. I'm now like a zombie. The restlessness is so intense you won't be able to do anything when on this drug other than feel hopeless, restlessness, and want to sleep all the time. It also makes you crave cigarettes so badly you won't have control of your own life if you take this drug. Please think twice about taking this horrible drug."

• Anonymous
• January 23, 2011

For Depression "I recently suffered a really bad cycle of my lingering depression, and my doctor prescribed Abilify to go along with the Zoloft I've been already on. I have to say, after only 3 weeks of taking 2.5 mg, I see a tremendous difference in my level of energy and motivation. I feel alive again. The only negatives I can mention are that I've had a lot of trouble sleeping, and I tend to feel much more 'wired' throughout the day. But if that's the trade-off for feeling like a human again, I'll take it."

• cla...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 13, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on aripiprazole 10 mg for 1 year now, and it has changed my life for the better. I also take it in combination with the antidepressant Remeron. My symptoms have decreased by 90% with this drug, my depression finally lifted for the first time in years, and I'm no longer crying on a daily basis. In the last year, I got a job and got my life together emotionally for the first time since my 20s started (I'm about to turn 30). The only negative side effect I've experienced from this medication has been akathisia, which has gotten somewhat better over time. I still experience episodes of restlessness from time to time, but for me, the positives of this drug outweigh the side effects. Unfortunately, it hasn't helped much with my anxiety. But for lifting me out of depression and nearly 0 manic episodes, I would recommend this drug to others. I am so grateful that my doctor prescribed this drug to me, as I was hesitant to try it after experiencing terrible side effects from lithium and Seroquel."

• cla...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 13, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been on aripiprazole 10 mg for 1 year now, and it has changed my life for the better. I also take it in combination with the antidepressant Remeron. My symptoms have decreased by 90% with this drug, my depression finally lifted for the first time in years, and I'm no longer crying on a daily basis. In the last year, I got a job and got my life together emotionally for the first time since my 20s started (I'm about to turn 30). The only negative side effect I've experienced from this medication has been akathisia, which has gotten somewhat better over time. I still experience episodes of restlessness from time to time, but for me, the positives of this drug outweigh the side effects. Unfortunately, it hasn't helped much with my anxiety. But for lifting me out of depression and nearly 0 manic episodes, I would recommend this drug to others. I am so grateful that my doctor prescribed this drug to me, as I was hesitant to try it after experiencing terrible side effects from lithium and Seroquel."

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2016

For Schizoaffective Disorder "I developed severe akathisia (restlessness) while taking this medication. I had a difficult time sitting in one place for more than a few minutes, and it was absolutely exhausting. I also developed insomnia and TD (tardive dyskinesia), and altogether I would say this medication was very difficult to tolerate. I was happy to be taken off of it."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been taking Abilify for a week. It has already taken the edge off the rages. However, I am still experiencing high anxiety. My family says I am calmer, so that is definitely a plus. I feel tired and wired at the same time - it is a weird feeling. I am very paranoid. I was paranoid before, but this seems to have made it worse. But I am only on 2 mg. At least the rages are better. I am hopeful that this medication, along with help from my doctor, will be enough to get my life back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2012

For Depression "Intake Effexor XR 375 mg and lorazepam for depression and anxiety. My doctor added Abilify, and I took it in the mornings. It made me foggy. I moved it to bedtime and sleep better overall. I have noticed an increase in irritability, which equates to feeling extremely angry by 3 pm daily. I've rearranged my lorazepam to reduce that but need more time. I'm also having restlessness, which almost feels manic. We shall see. Increased cravings for sweets."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I went on the generic Abilify for days, and I started having suicidal ideation and ended up in the ER. I had an inpatient psych stay at a hospital for a week. During my stay, I continued having suicidal thoughts. I've never had serious thoughts like this before this medication. I also developed akathisia and could not sleep. The medication was discontinued, and I have gotten better, but am still having sporadic thoughts a week later. I hope they continue to lessen as time goes on..."

• JBr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2016

For Depression "I started this medication when I was about 11 or 12 and took it for 6 months. It made me so anxious and so restless, I remember having to get up in the middle of class several times to get a drink of water to try and stop my anxiety. I had several episodes of this and always felt that I had to be moving. Maybe I was too young to be on the medicine, though..."

• Noe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "I'm not an easy patient, unsatisfied with the weight gain from the typical atypicals, lacking an 'oomph' from lithium, allergic to lamotrigine, and anti-depressants give me a one-way ticket to the manic rollercoaster. I started Abilify and within 3 days, I was hypermanic and nauseous to boot. No sleep, spending $400 on some bed sheets seemed like a marvelous idea, thrill-seeking etc., and throwing up every 3 hours. However, my psychiatrist guided me through it with sleep meds and something to settle the stomach, and I'm so glad I pushed through. Yeah, the restlessness is an issue, but I'd like to consider myself an 'experience and going out' person now. Anything better than the listlessness of depression or meds that are supposed to cure it."

• LaS...
• September 1, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Wow. I took it, and many of the reviews here could have been me. Was on it for 3 weeks, couldn’t take the side effects. My tongue was swollen 2x its size, uncontrollable salivating. Anger outbursts that were uncharacteristic of me, impulsivity, akathisia, horrible kicking legs as I tried to go to sleep. Doc was kind enough to pull me off it as I gained 20 pounds in this month. Ridiculous. It was not a “life saver” for me either."

• big...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I like Abilify a lot because I used to be extremely irritable. I also couldn't ride my bicycle when I was manic because I would not focus on my safety. Luckily, I now only get hypomanic episodes thanks to Abilify. I feel like I am free to get off of my emotional roller coaster and explore the world outside. The only few problems it gave me were akathisia and weight gain. I'm 14 years old, and I don't know whether I gained 40 lbs from growing, the medicine, or both."

• gra...
• July 29, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Abilify for one month. I had restlessness, a feeling that I needed to do something. It was a good thing in a way. At first, I was more irritable, but that subsided substantially after a few days. It made me feel a lot calmer and in control of my emotions without making me feel like I was suppressing them. This is the first pharmaceutical medicine I have tried to treat my condition, and it definitely worked better than the natural remedies such as St. John's Wort, sam-e, and passion flower. It even helped more than meditation. I have just switched to Latuda because Abilify gave me chest pains. If the pain was anywhere else, I would have definitely stayed on the medicine because it worked. It helped me gain 10 lb, which is good for me."

• Ste...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2021

For Depression "I have been having pretty bad depression and a severe lack of motivation for a while. I have failed many antidepressants. I recently switched to Effexor XR 75 mg, which did provide some relief for both depression and anxiety. I tried slightly increasing the dose, but it made me feel a bit wired, so I stayed at 75 mg. I don’t like the idea of taking an antipsychotic daily, but I also couldn’t live with the way I was feeling and the lifestyle it brought. I started Abilify and have been taking 2.5 mg at night for a week (half a 5 mg tab) along with the Effexor. It has definitely provided additional relief from depression. Other psych meds I take are Klonopin 1 mg two to three times a day as needed, Remeron 30 mg, and Melatonin gummies 5 mg for sleep, as well as Seroquel 50-100 mg only if needed for sleep, and Adderall 10 mg as needed for ADD."

• Bip...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 21, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I am a 42-year-old woman and diagnosed with bipolar and ADHD. I highly recommend this medication. I was at 10 mg, and it rescued me from a manic episode that was so bad that I was psychotic. It not only cleared that right up, but it improved my concentration. I did suffer from minor akathisia. I was able to control it without a problem. However, three years later, I have gained a lot of weight. I am now taking 5 mg and monitoring with my doc. After a month, the weight is coming off, but I am now hypomanic...a beautiful yet scary place to be. Where to go from here, I’m not sure."