Aripiprazole for Borderline Personality Disorder User Reviews

• Bam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2021

"I have struggled with BPD symptoms and tried many antidepressants and buspirone. Nothing has worked this well for me. I feel like I can collect my thoughts better in arguments. I don’t have anger outbursts anymore. I was so sick of feeling guilty after every argument. My psychiatrist wanted to add another antidepressant, and I was so encouraged by the reviews on here, I said I wanted Abilify. I am SO glad I said I wanted it. I’ve only been taking it a week, and I feel amazing. All the delusions I had about my partner are gone. I feel like I can live my life the way it should have been, without the trauma."

• Can...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 12, 2021

"I have been on and off this medication since I was 16 years old. I’m now 26. It is the only thing that has ever worked so incredibly well for my borderline personality disorder (BPD). With BPD, I have intense, frequent mood swings, suicidal depression, outbursts of rage, and periods of apathy and numbness. The Abilify gets rid of all of that for me!! I can’t really live a decent life without it. Whenever I get off of it, I feel okay for a month, and then BAM, all my symptoms return. I know this medication could potentially cause tardive dyskinesia, but I feel I absolutely must stay on this medication. It makes everything seem so...bearable! I don’t lose my temper or lose hope, like I do when I’m off Abilify. I got off of it due to weight gain, but honestly, I’ve always had a weight problem. I do believe the Abilify exacerbated the issue, but I need the medication to function properly. I know it’s different for everyone. But thank goodness it works for me!"

• Fem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2016

"I have been on aripiprazole for 2 weeks for BPD, alongside dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy. It has changed my life! My marriage was almost at the point of divorce due to my paranoia, questioning, accusations, and general anger including violence. I have done not a single one of these since the first day I took this drug! I also had a very serious suicide attempt and have not wanted to do nothing like that since. It's a wonder drug, I thank God I found it. The only side effect I have is restlessness, during the day I cannot relax, but at night I sleep perfectly. The restlessness is a bit annoying, but I am being so productive and have done so much more in these last two weeks than I have in a year. My husband is so glad to have the woman he met back by his side!"

• Nev...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 3, 2021

"I am diagnosed with BPD and ADHD. I was put on this aripiprazole after suffering a psychotic breakdown, insomnia, mania, suicide attempt, and so on. My hallucinations and delusions went away immediately, and so did my uncontrollable rage, which led to self-harm. It has massively helped my social anxiety and panic attacks. Also, since being on this medication, I have managed to sleep 8 hours a night, which I never have before in my life (I'm 29 years old). I have gone from 5 mg to 20 mg and have had no side effects whatsoever. Aripiprazole is amazing, and I would not be here if it wasn't for this medication."

• Mam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 5, 2018

"I do not know about other medication to alleviate BPD symptoms. So I have nothing to compare Abilify with. I've been taking Abilify, 10 mg, for over 2 years. Doing great, I decided to stop it. Within a few days, BPD symptoms came back: mood swings, rage. I'm back on Abilify, and I feel much better again. It was reckless of me to think I could do without."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2017

"I have only been on Abilify (5 mg) for 2 weeks, but this drug has completely changed me for the better. I am able to process emotion so much better. I no longer jump to conclusions, feel paranoid, full of rage, or frantic. I feel so much more stability in my emotions-and my loved ones feel the difference as well. This drug has given me my confidence back."

• Nic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 17, 2020

"I have borderline personality disorder. Since I started on the medication, I haven’t dissociated as much as before at all. Barely anything across years. Huge plus. I’m also not as suspicious/paranoid socially/interrelation-wise as before, which used to really muck me up. So that’s huge. I feel like I’m just more “sane” and my mind is not as scattered or neurotic/paranoid. I’m still not sane, and I’m still neurotic, lol, and there’s a long road to recovery, but I definitely feel a difference from this medicine. It’s like I got one little extra layer of skin to protect me from my hyper-sensitivity. Thankful for this medicine."

• Hsh...
• January 5, 2013

Aripiprazole "Abilify is a miracle for me! I had tried lithium, Risperdal, Depakote, and they never worked. I know it does not work for everyone because everyone's brains are different, but it WORKS for me, and I am finally the person I have always wanted to be. I actually stop and think rationally in negative situations when I used to react inappropriately with anger and then regret what I said or my actions. I have depression, severe anxiety, and bipolar disorder (because of childhood trauma), and I am happy for the first time in my life. A doctor prescribed it to me about 4 years ago, and I guess it was fairly new, and I did not have insurance at the time, so it was going to be $425 (too expensive) for a month's supply, and I didn't get it. That is one of the biggest mistakes of my life so far."

• Kay...
• July 7, 2018

"Wow. I did not think that any medicine would ever help me with my BPD. I have only been on it a little more than a month, but it's worked wonders. If it's going to help you, it may even start kicking in after 2 weeks or so. I feel so close to normal now. I am on an antidepressant too, but of course, it does nothing for my BPD. I was looking for a medication for my BPD that could lessen the intense symptoms and give me a better base for my emotions that my brain just could not give me with this illness. I knew that it could help with my paranoia, but it has helped with that and so much more. I have not had a bad day on this medication. My emotions are in check, my ideation is gone, and it's really hard to have a bad day or be in a bad or negative mindset. I don't get stressed and flustered as easily. All my symptoms have been lessened or helped, it's been a wonder drug for me."

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

"I was put on Abilify for Borderline Personality Disorder, and it helped my anxiety and mood swings a lot. Although, I had to lower my dose so my insurance would cover it. I had the shakes so bad that it was really hard at the start. It was a chore just to live through that. But it helped my moods a lot. After 2 weeks on it, it kicks in full force and made me feel like I was constantly on a caffeine high, but without the anxiety of it. I was so happy and was finally able to live. But after the dose got lowered, I panicked and quit my job, walked home, accepted a ride from a stranger, argued with my partner, and had mood swings. So don't mess with missing doses at all."

• Eba...
• October 11, 2019

"I was on Abilify for about 3-4 months. And don’t get me wrong, it worked for my BPD, but it also brought on akathisia. Made me really anxious and restless all the time. And most recently, it’s thrown me into a depressive state. In the last few weeks to a month, I haven’t felt like myself, and I don’t enjoy doing the things I used to. My doctor just recently took me off it, so I’m excited to feel myself again. I wouldn’t knock it until you try it because it did work for me, the side effects just got to be too much to handle. But everyone is different."

• Cat...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2018

"I was put on aripiprazole after my impulsivity and mood swings got out of control. Been taking 2.5 mg for almost 2 years, and I feel much more in control of my emotions. As for the side effects, I had trouble sleeping the first week I took it, but that went away. I also rapidly gained weight, I'm about 40 lbs. heavier than when I started. Losing the weight is slow, but possible."

• ndr...
• November 3, 2020

"Aripiprazole dosage: 10 mg for 9 months, 15 mg since August. Pro: I have to say it works very well on anger outbursts and irritability (better than quetiapine XR 300 mg). I don't have had more self-harm and pseudo-epileptic episodes. I can better manage frustrations and dissatisfactions, without more explosions of hopelessness and despair. Overall, my mood is stable and my social functioning has had a drastic improvement. Cons: I'm a bit restless, but it's manageable. In my case, the side effects are primarily aesthetic. I gained 7 kg from January, and I have lost a good part of my dense crown. No EPS. Conclusion: Overall, I stay better than before. I shaved myself, and I'm starting to do some physical activities to balance out the weight gain side effects. I continue to have social anxiety disorder (I feel a prey of others' eyes) that doesn't respond to SSRI. So my quality of life is still low. But I advise Abilify for BPD: if you don't have my comorbidities, it could work for you."

• Sap...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 7, 2018

"I was on aripiprazole for borderline personality disorder (multiple changes of antidepressants during this time) for 5 years. It was great at first for the first year and a half, believed I was heading in the right direction (10 mg at the time). Dosage was increased to 15 mg. Became very emotionally numb. BPD symptoms intensified. Dosage was then increased again to 20 mg. Basically became a zombie by this point. I personally don't like this medication, and I don't believe it's the one for me."

• lol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 26, 2018

"I've been on aripiprazole for about a month and a half now, and it really helped me. It makes socializing with people so much easier, and I don't get crazy ideas about how everyone hates me, and I stopped being paranoid. The only downside is that it gave me restless leg syndrome."

• Jaz...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 11, 2021

"I started Abilify because my insurance wouldn't pay for Rexulti. For me personally, it works. No paranoia issues towards my partners or loved ones, no anger outbursts, no self-harm... repeat, NO SELF-HARM!! This one is so important... It's like I became southern and started sipping sweet tea on my front porch swing in the sun. I can enjoy life now. It helps control my emotions when I want to cry, I don't think I have even cried more than twice since I started about 8 months ago. I have had some weight gain, but I'm actually losing weight right now. I think the weight gain was from the Rexulti, so there is that. My libido is a bit down, but maybe it's because I work a full work week and have two small children, and I'm exhausted by the 8 pm... It is so much easier to be optimistic. If you have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and are reading these reviews like I did before I started this med, please, for the love of yourself, try it. Give it some time. It could very well save your life."

• Sio...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 24, 2018

"Been on just about every oral drug known to be prescribed for irritability/mood swings. Sometimes the drugs would work for a short period of time, but would always lose efficacy in a short period of time. Was put on Abilify injection 13 months ago, has not worn out, and my mood remains stable, and irritability is at bay. It is very, very hard to lose weight on this drug. I have a very restrictive diet with tons of exercise. Weight loss is very slow, but possible. This is the only side effect I have from the medication."

• May...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2021

"Abilify has helped me so much. I have borderline personality disorder, so medication is used to treat our symptoms, not illness. Abilify has greatly decreased my mood swings, helped with my angry outbursts, and also helped eliminate most of my paranoia. It does make me a little anxious, and I've been a little bit nauseous, but other than that, I've had close to no negative side effects. I haven't gained weight either, which I know is a concern for most people before starting. I've been on it for roughly a month so far, and I'm at 5 mgs. I hope this medicine helps you as much as it's helped me."

• Pin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 26, 2021

"This medication has greatly helped my BPD symptoms by reducing my irritability, aggressiveness, and hostility, as well as reducing my depression, anxiety, and paranoia. I stopped taking it a little bit ago, and after about two months, all my symptoms started coming back with a vengeance. I stopped taking it because I thought I could manage my symptoms on my own again, but that did not go as planned. I even had a very bad episode with a breakup with a potential partner, and my depression got so bad that I had to go to the hospital. After I got discharged from the hospital, both my mom and I decided that I needed to get back on it as soon as possible. The only things that this medication hasn't helped me with are my episodes of feeling empty inside, as well as some identity issues and feeling lost about who I am from time to time. However, I can honestly say that this medication is a lifesaver and has helped me live a much better quality of life than without it."

• Dan...
• January 19, 2016

"I call Abilify my miracle drug. I have been on a lot of medications in the past, and nothing has worked as well as Abilify for stabilizing my mood and reducing paranoia and anxiety. I get a pretty rare side effect called ocular gyric crisis, so I take Artane as well to counter the side effect, and it works well. Although I have a horrible side effect from Abilify, I am still very happy with it. The only problem is that it is expensive, and Medicaid refused to cover it unless I tried three other meds from the same family. I am on number three (I tried Geodon and Seroquel, and they made me exhausted and am giving Risperdal a go), but so far nothing has been as effective as Abilify. I am hoping Medicaid will cover it soon. I was on 20 mg daily."

• mAn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2020

"I’ve been on this drug, Abilify, for a week now, and the side effects were almost instant. The first day I took the medication (5 mg), I was dizzy and had a drunk feeling. But it went away within 5-7 minutes. Day 2-3, I began to itch and feel as if bugs were on me. But to be fair, I had just taken a hike and found ticks on me, and I believe it unfair to say the itching was a side effect because of the psychosomatic effects of ticks. Day 3-4, I had RLS and couldn’t stand still without rocking or moving my legs. Also, I would have headaches in the evening time. On a scale from 1-10, I would say about a 3. Not crippling but definitely annoying. Also, I find it a little difficult to carry on a conversation because I feel kind of spacey throughout the day. Yet I am aware and alert. The positives are I feel more calm and level. I would have major anger outbursts. I still have them, but they aren’t as long or detrimental. I am really looking forward to when the medicine takes full effect."

• jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 1, 2017

"I've been on 10 mg for about three months, and I am feeling pretty good, except I'm having trouble sleeping. My paranoia and suspicion are still really bad. I will be asking for an increase and starting DBT therapy!!! I'm excited about feeling it....."

• hai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2021

"This medicine has worked very well for my Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), keeping me stable by preventing switching/mood swings. I thought I was going to lose my job due to lack of stability, but this medicine saved me."

• Ali...
• March 24, 2017

"I had taken Abilify (aripiprazole) for around 6 months when I decided to stop taking it. Not only is it super expensive, but I found it didn't work for me at all. When I first started taking it, I was very sedated and tired. Eventually, it had no side effects on me, but no positive ones either! My mood swings were constant, and my outbursts weren't any less. Nobody in my immediate family who were aware of my BPD noticed a difference. It didn't work for me, but it is definitely worth a try because it doesn't have any major side effects like weight gain. Just very pricey."

• Gir...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 24, 2023

"I knew the psychiatrist who first prescribed this medication to me was no genius. If I had known what I am currently going through, I would have refused to take it. However, I was hospitalized at the time and had no choice. Initially, I was prescribed 10 mg per day, but the medication had severe side effects on me. I lost my self-confidence, my ability to feel and express emotions, my imagination, and my sex drive. I also lost my saliva, and my entire body was impacted. In just four months, I gained 15 kilos, experienced horrible body aches, and suffered from memory impairment. Currently, even at 5 mg, I walk as if I had Parkinson's disease. I believe it is better to taper off this medication. This medication has made me feel like a zombie, and the experience is harder for me than my mom's death. Beautiful marketing is done to sell this product to doctors, but all medications are now an industry, aren't they? I understand that some people may benefit from this medication, but it is not my case. Please keep me in your prayers, and stay safe."