Abilify User Reviews & Ratings

• Raven...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 2, 2021

For Depression "I can't believe after trying 4 meds, recovering from 4 disorders during my 10 years of depression I finally feel free. I never thought Abilify 5mg would be the one. (Although trying 5mg was the WORST so I went from 1mg to 5mg) I suffer from dysthymia (with major depressive episodes), GAD, social anxiety, OCD, hypochondria and I'm also autistic. Everything has gotten better. I fall asleep at 10pm and then wake up at 9am, refreshed and ready for the day. All my suicidal thoughts are gone. My irritability partly due to my autism is almost gone. I feel like I have a future, I feel like my life isn't just something to survive but something to live. I love hanging out with people, I have energy to do things, I like my hobbies. I cant believe it. You're gonna read horror stories about this drug - don't let them discourage you. It may not work for you but I almost didn't and look where the drug got me. I can't even say I have my life back only because I've never had a life so good like this before."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2021

For Depression "Truly life saving. Tortured by intrusive ruminating depressive and anxious thinking. Abilify 5mg is the magic bullet that I didn’t think existed. Return of calm peace of mind. Off all other meds. No side effects."

• Summer
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 17, 2019

For Depression "I didn't want to go on Abilify, but decided to try it because my depression was extremely hard to live with. My ugly thoughts went away and I quit stress eating. I feel I have control over my life. It has saved me."

• Nat
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2019

For Depression "Abilify has changed my life in less than a week. My anxiety and depression are gone. For months I suffered from consistent panic attacks, depressive episodes, crying spells. I had to drop out of college. This in combination with cymbalta has literally improved everything in days. My sex drive is back, my relationship is wonderful, I am smiling, laughing and happy all the time. I don’t have anxiety about little things anymore. I carry Ativan on me for anxiety and panic and was taking it every single day and since I started abilify I haven’t taken it once. I am so grateful for this drug. Tonight I’ll be starting on 2 mg instead of 1 (I’m a small person) to see if I can get even better."

• Mozi
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 18, 2021

For Depression "Gotta admit I was on the fence about even trying this drug. I have taken 20mg Lexapro, 300mg Bupropion, and adderall for 15+ years. Experimented with reducing my meds to see if I still needed them a year ago, then my life fell apart due to circumstance. The combination put me into a major depressive episode (one of four in my life). Going to full dosage helped but was still in bad shape after back on for several months. Adding just 2 MG of abilify has made a shockingly noticeable positive difference in a couple of days and now that it's been a week it's even better. I may not even increase to 5 as I was planning. My recommendation - if you're unsure - give it a try and see. It has made a big positive change for me. Good luck."

• Maggie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2019

For Depression "I am very happy with Abilify. My doctor added 2 mg on top of the 20 mg Lexapro. I have been very depressed after my husband passed away 2 years ago. This past January I noticed more and more I wouldn't get out of bed or I would come home from work and just sleep. I hated everything and had a "I don't care" attitude. I sobbed all the time and I was starting to miss work. With Abilify I woke up and feel very happy. I am alert and life seems normal again! I know everyone is different but for me it works!"

• teeno
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 15, 2021

For Depression "Wow! For me, this medication is amazing! Already it has changed my life! My boyfriend said I am completely different. I feel happy now! Before I was very depressed and it was getting so bad that I was getting very angry and lashing out at people and being threatening.. so that's originally why I was prescribed this medication. I also take an antidepressant. But wow, it has helped so much more than my anger. I don't feel depressed anymore and I actually want to live. I am so happy! 10/10!!!!"

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I just started this Abilify at a 5mg dose and am going up to 10 mg today. Side effects were - nausea briefly - restlessness that might keep waking you up at night. Both of these went away. I was told by my psych that I might feel shaky but that should pass. Positives so far are less rumination and constant thinking. Less daydreaming. It doesn’t affect my actual ability to think. I haven’t gone manic on this yet. My temperament seems to be even and my energy level is good. I'll check back in in a month with the 10mg review. Thanks all."

• Athena
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2019

For Depression "I have been using Abilify for a month due to depression and suicidal thoughts. This drug has turned things around for me. I no longer get suicidal urges and I feel better and have a more positive outlook. I have lost nearly 10lbs in a month because it has majorly suppressed my appetite. It does on occasion interfere with my sleep. It also does make me antsy and restless, as if I always have to be doing something. But that has been somewhat of a good thing because my focus has increased and now I can stay on task and see things through more so than before. I am so glad this medicine is working for me."

• Rodisms
• November 25, 2014

For Depression "Abilify has worked wonders for me. I told my doctor that I just didn't seem to care if I did things or not, and that things just didn't bother me enough to make me want to fix them. She gave me Abilify and even though I had my doubts that anything would work, 3 days after starting taking them, I found myself not wanting to stay still long enough to watch a whole TV show, because I felt there was better things I could be doing. I have been cleaning, rearranging, and packing away things every day since it took effect. I have never been one to want to do stuff. I would do what needed doing, but nothing more. Now, I just want to do it all. Love this stuff."

• Liv
• March 11, 2019

For Depression "I cannot express how much Abilify has already changed my life and it has only been a week. I feel reborn. Before being prescribed this med I felt hopeless, depressed, and my anxiety was terrible. I thought I could never be happy, but I already feel like a new person. I see sunshine and look at life totally different."

• Saras...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I just got prescribed Abilify yesterday as a booster to my current anti-depressant. I'm currently take 300mg of Wellbutrin daily and I just don't notice any difference in my life. I feel numb I feel foggy all of the time. I feel very disconnected from life in general. I'm really praying that this helps I know that no pill is a miracle worker but damn it I need anything at this point that's positive. So I'm going to make another review a month from now or if there are any positive results sooner than that then I'll write a review before but I'm going to give it a month to see if anything changes mentally. So if you're reading this keep me in your thoughts please. Definitely need prayers"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 15, 2020

For Agitated State "Im going to keep it short & sweet. Before Abilify it was a lot of swearing and slammed doors, and irritation towards everyone. Abilify 5mg was prescribed about 2 months ago. Life now is more of a "what was I mad about"? Great mood stabilizer. This medication has lifted me in so many ways. Background: Bipolar, depression & anxiety..."

• Matthew
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2024

For Major Depressive Disorder "The best, simplest thing I can say about Abilify is this: two weeks into taking it, I suddenly wanted again. It was a feeling I didn’t know I missed, but I wanted to do things again. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt genuine motivation like that. I have both persistent depression and am in a major depressive episode. I have high levels of apathy and low levels of energy. For the first time in a very long time, I don’t feel like I have to fight my body to do anything. I feel good. It’s enough to make me cry — and not because I’m bursting into depression tears. The speed at which it has had an effect is also a relief. I feel better, and it’s been almost immediate. I haven’t been on it long. No side effects so far. On a low dose (2mg); psychiatrist intends to increase it soon. If experience changes significantly on increase, I will leave another review."

• Regina
• September 7, 2016

For Depression "I read these reviews for over a month before even taking these meds. I will say this, you just have to go for it. Best decision I've made in a VERY long time. Abilify has helped me in so many ways! I was at my lowest point. I was severely depressed. I've been taking this medication for over a month & hands down I feel great. Yes I still have my days but they are for sure getting better.. All I want to say is do NOT let what other people say stop you from getting better. Try it for at least 6 wks & judge for yourself. At this point weight gain is welcomed for me. I lost so much weight I'd like to gain at least 30 lol. I am just happy to feel "NORMAL" again. I hope all of you get better. Stay Strong & never give up. Stay Blessed "

• Exdan...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 9, 2021

For Depression "I've had abilify added to my antidepressants for several years now and it really helps. This month it was suggested I try stopping the abilify and I've slowly become terribly depressed again. Still on my antidepressants but sad, tearful, like a lonely and lost soul. I’m going to restart it ASAP along with my antidepressants."

• Happy
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2019

For Depression "I've only been taking Abilify ( added to Venaflaxine) for 16 days, but I LOVE it. I can't believe the difference it's made to my depression. I haven't felt this normal in YEARS!!! I'm actually happy again, I want to get out of bed and start my day, I want to do things instead of just lay in bed all the time. Obviously everyone reacts to medication differently but my appetite is actually less. I am losing weight. I actually go to sleep at night, now I only need 5-6 hours of sleep and I'm good to go, ready to start the day. Maybe this is why I sleep at night now. Lol! I don't know and I don't care I'm just so happy my doctor recommended this medication. I hope things don't change. I don't have insurance but with coupon was only $30."

• Andrea
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2020

For Bipolar Disorder "I've been struggling with bipolar II my whole life and have been hospitalized twice. This last time they put me on abilify in addition to my lamictal and lexapro along with trazadone for sleep. First, the side effects. They were pretty bad in the beginning super restless, high anxiety, couldn't concentrate on anything unless it involved my hands. I did a lot of adult coloring and rearranged my house a few times. I was treated with ativan for about 2 weeks, a double dose of trazadone at night, and self treated with THC. The side effects are starting to wear off and it's like I can see the world in color! My husband says I'm acting like when we first met and the sparkle is back in my eyes. If you have side effects, work with your doctor. I am so glad I did and stayed on this med. It's been a month and totally life changing."

• Catat...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2020

For Depression "This is a very motivating medication. I get out of bed and am motivated to make the most of my day. It is like a miracle for me. I was switched over to the generic, Aripiprazole and felt about half of the effect. Even though my doctor moved my prescription up to a 5mg it still does not work like the original. The generic is not the same."

• Hands
• August 6, 2020

For Agitated State "My 9 year old son started Abilify a week ago. Prior to, he was diagnosed with Intermittent Explosive Disorder and possibly ADHD. He has struggled with intense burst of extreme anger. He would yell, scream, throw things, hit himself, slam doors etc. He would be angry very quickly over small things. He was very impulsive, and had many troubles at school focusing. We tried 2 different ADHD meds with no luck. They actually made things worse. His behaviour changed the moment he started Abilify, at a low dose of 2mg a day. We expected weeks until seeing results. My child is a completely different person. He is calm, polite, and so pleasant. He has voiced his own opinion on feeling this med is working. He can feel the difference within himself. He displays no side effects. He still feels and shows emotions, just in a calm manner. We have struggled heartbreakingly for a long time in finding him help, with nothing that has actually worked. This has absolutely changed his life."

• Echrapy
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2019

For Depression "My life has changed so much for the better, I am my self again!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I highly recommend this medication. I suffer with ADD, depression, and I take sertraline along with the generic form of abilify. I noticed a difference after the first week. Stick to it people, I promise you, you're missing out on a great life here"

• Phren...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2020

For Major Depressive Disorder "I have very ruminative, treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) for which I've been hospitalized twice despite medication therapy and counseling. I have trialed at least twelve different antidepressants over the last twenty years, with modest results at best. During my second hospitalization, the attending psychiatrist presented a choice: lithium or aripiprazole (or neither, that was technically a choice, too). I asked him what he thought and his recommendation was aripiprazole, so we went with that. We started at 2.5 mg, then quickly moved to 5 mg. Within days I was no longer having mood crashes, my ruminations had diminished, and my mood had started to recover. I've stayed out of hospital ever since. I currently take 10 mg daily and experience no side effects. I still have my ups and downs (as is life) but my 'down' phases are shorter and much less severe. This med has been a lifesaver for me."

• Ben
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Been on every BiPolar med known. Finally tried Abilify (generic) and this for me, is the VERY BEST bipolar medication in the world. No highs, no lows, NO bipolar symptoms at all. I’ve never known in my 45 years that a bipolar drug could make me feel so “normal”. Truly happy, level headed and carefree. Sleep is normal for the first time ever. I’d rate it an “11” if I could! CHANGED MY LIFE FOR THE BETTER, literally! I TAKE aripiprazole 10mg once daily, Prozac as well."

• Morgan
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 26, 2018

For Depression "I have ADHD and treatment resistance Major Depressive Disorder. I have tried just about every medication to treat my depression and nothing worked for the past 15 years. This year my doctor rx'ed me 5 mg of Abilify to add with Vyvanse and Wellbutrin. I can say for the first time in my life; I'm not depressed. I have never felt this happy before. I'm not used to being happy and keep waiting for something bad to happen and relapse, but day by day passes and I still feel AMAZING!!!"

• Stanley
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2019

For Depression "My primary diagnosis is OCD with anxiety, but for the last six months I've been in a deep depressive episode, consumed by intrusive thoughts and hopelessness. Note: I was not on any medication at the time. My psych suggested that I try Abilify, taken alone. I was highly skeptical of it working, especially at such a low dose (2 mg). However, on day three, it was like someone had flipped a switch in my brain and suddenly I was able to see the positive or neutral side of things, not just the negative. I didn't realize just how depressed I had been until this medication helped lift me up. My OCD symptoms are still there but my improved mood allows for me to handle them much better. No weight gain so far. Decreased appetite. Mild insomnia that seems to be fading after two weeks. Some increased desire to shop, but I'm trying to be conscious of and stop any impulses."