Abilify User Reviews & Ratings (Page 4)

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

For Depression "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."

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

For Depression "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."

• mel...
• September 4, 2008

For Bipolar Disorder "I started this medicine not too long ago and love it. I have been on many other medicines over the years without good results. The one thing I would like to say to others who have written comments here is, do not say you would not recommend this to someone because it doesn't work for you. That is the reason there are different medications, and just because it doesn't work for you, it is ridiculous for you to say you wouldn't recommend others take it."

• inv...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2013

For Autism "After much deliberation and many, many meetings, we finally decided to put our 7-year-old on a low dose of Abilify. My child is officially diagnosed with PDD-NOS, which is an autism spectrum disorder. At first, the low 2mg dose seemed pretty effective in controlling the anxiety and outbursts. However, when our doctor prescribed a higher dose of 5mg, the exhaustion and weight gain were out of control. My child gained roughly 45 pounds in six months, even when we stopped the medication for the summer months. Abilify seems to make my child very hungry but unable to convert any calories into energy, simply storing all food as fat. We came to the decision that the side effects were outweighing the desired effects, and we are trying a new medication."

• LAL...
• November 9, 2015

For Depression "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."

• bip...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 15, 2024

For Bipolar Disorder "I have been a longtime observer of this website. I always said that if I found something for me, I'd review it. I have been through 8 different medications, SSRIs, SNRIs, and TCAs over a 9-month period. I was diagnosed with Bipolar Type II. This medication worked within 1 day at 5mg. All the negative rumination, severe depression, and anhedonia lifted within 4 days. Honestly, I know it sounds cliché, but this medication truly saved me. It works by balancing the chemicals, not blocking them like other antipsychotics. It truly is a mood stabilizer in everything but name. I have zero side effects, yes zero! I take it in the morning and go about my day as a normal, living person. I feel like my old self, or the self that I feel is natural. After identifying rapid cycling from antidepressants, this was an absolute godsend. I'm from the UK, so this took a lot of time due to NHS bureaucracy. It took one private psychiatrist who listened to me, diagnosed me, and recommended this medication for my GP."

• dwi...
• July 3, 2008

For Agitated State "My 25-year-old son was prescribed this medication for his aggressive behavior and inability to concentrate. As a child, he was diagnosed with ADHD with aggressive behavior. His behavior only worsened as he got older and was not on any medication. He was unable to keep a job and was always in trouble with the police for fighting and just unable to make good decisions. After starting Abilify, he has had a steady job for 6 months and his aggressive behavior is gone. I have my son back."

• Loc...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 11, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I am 40. I was diagnosed bipolar 15 years ago. My mania manifests itself as aggression/rage. My rage has been a problem since I was young. My violent outbursts consisted of me punching myself, bashing my head against walls, and other horrifically embarrassing and dangerous actions. I was extremely verbally abusive to anyone unfortunate enough to be near me during my rages. I have been on many meds throughout my life. Every benzo. Mellaril. Thorazine. Every SSRI. Depakote. Lithium. NOTHING curbed my rage. In fact, SSRI meds INTENSIFIED my rage. 10 years ago, my psychiatrist put me on 20mg of Abilify. Within 4 days, I felt like I could finally breathe. My rage literally disappeared. But I don't feel 'zombie-ish' like with other meds."

• Sap...
• February 26, 2019

For Depression "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

For Depression "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."

• Roc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2019

For Schizophrenia "When I was 24 years old, out of nowhere I started having schizophrenia symptoms. I believed incredible grandiose religious delusions, thought my television sets had cameras in them, and believed that when people coughed or made sounds, they were mocking me subliminally. I didn't receive treatment until the age of 30 and was working full time but getting myself in reckless situations. After I lost everything I had besides my awesome family, I was put on a Community Treatment Order (CTO). After 4 months on Invega, I was extremely suicidal and thought I'd never regain my normal life. If there is one thing I have learned about meds, it's that they take a lot longer to work than you think. I have been on 10 mg of Abilify for approximately six months, and for the entire duration, I would have intrusive thoughts and random urges. Finally, going into the sixth month, the side effects are really starting to subside, and I'm starting to fully regain my emotions and not be afraid of people."

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

For Depression "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."

• JFW...
• December 21, 2016

For Depression "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."

• Som...
• November 29, 2016

For Depression "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."

• End...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2020

For Schizophrenia "When I was first diagnosed with psychosis, about six years ago, they put me on risperidone. It was only recently that I discovered that, for all that time, even a moderate dose like 3.5mg/night was making me sleepy ALL DAY. I had no motivation, I became completely inert, I gained a lot of weight, maybe 50 or so pounds, which is a lot for my height. They recently switched me to Abilify, and I’ve gotta say, it’s a hundred times better! I’m back to being 'up', I’m interested in things again, in being productive, I can even work. As for the weight, it doesn’t give me the appetite that risperidone did, nor does it mess up my blood sugar levels like risperidone did. There’s still a bit of fatigue, but my Concerta, prescribed for ADD, nips that in the bud. Besides, even without the Concerta, the fatigue levels are just nowhere near risperidone levels. TL;DR in terms of fatigue, motivation levels, and weight gain, Abilify is, by FAR, the better choice over risperidone."

• sku...
• December 13, 2015

For Depression "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

For Depression "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

For Depression "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

For Depression "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."

• Wel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "On Abilify for Bipolar and it is the first time in my entire life that I have felt stable. I have no side effects from this medication. I take it at night and it makes me a bit sleepy, which is good for my sleep anyways. I have tried a few other mood stabilizers without success and finally tried Abilify, and it works fantastically for me."

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

For Depression "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."

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

For Depression "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."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have been on Abilify (2.5 mg daily) for 3 weeks now for MDD. I also take Effexor XR and have for several months now. After one week on the Abilify, I began to have a dramatic change in my motivation. I keep myself busy now, whereas before I struggled to do simple tasks. I do struggle with sleeping now. I used to be able to go to sleep anytime I wanted to with no trouble. Now I cannot sleep. I wake up by midnight and spend the rest of the night doing things like painting or online shopping! I cannot sleep. I hope this side effect is temporary. I started taking 3 mg of melatonin before bed, but that only helps a little bit. The other side effect during the night is night sweats. It is only after I fall asleep that the sweating occurs. When I wake up, I am soaked in my sweat, not too different than when a fever breaks. As much as I want my ability to sleep back, I will continue to take the Abilify because it is changing my life for the better. I no longer sleep all day or lack motivation."

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

For Depression "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!"

• jwj...
• February 27, 2016

For Depression "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."