Aripiprazole for Depression User Reviews (Page 2)

• Bimini...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I'm 32 and have been diagnosed with depression since I was about 21. I know that I was depressed way before then but, did not have the diagnosis nor knew what depression was. I was on Celexa 40mg and lithium 600mg for about 4 years. I was functional but, there was a dimension of life that I knew was missing. I did not have a taste for life. A few weeks ago, I had another major depression episode and found myself bed bound. Could not get out of bed. Would sleep for hours on end; I no longer counted days. My trichotillomania had returned with a vengeance and it brought a binge eating disorder to boot. Psychiatrist prescribed Abilify. It has been 4 days since I have taken my first dose (2mg) and I already feel like I am healed. I smiled."

• Sally
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 22, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This is my first day taking Abilify 5 mg. I am at work and I feel HORRIBLE. I'm thinking about going home. I am dizzy, sweating, and just feel out of it. I took it 2 1/2 hours ago and wish I had the ability to make myself barf to get it out of me, but it was such a small tab it has probably dissolved. I hate my dr. for putting me on this. I feel like a zombie. Actually found myself staring at my computer with my mouth open. Awful, horrible rx."

• Kooky
• June 18, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and Depression for years and have been on many different meds. The longest being Luvox. I decided to see a new Psychiatrist and she took me off of the Luvox and put me on Prozac, gradually increasing it to 60mg daily. OCD improved, but depression & GAD didn't. She then put me on 2mg Abilify added to my Prozac daily. In 3 days I started seeing improvement and feeling better than I have in many years. Life had been a struggle for me for so long and now I feel better than I have in years. I sure hope and pray that I continue to feel this way. Yes, my appetite has increased and I am gaining some much needed weight. I would still prefer these minor side effects than to go back to the old me. I give Abilify a 10 ."

• brian...
• February 25, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Been on all sorts of meds for depression for about 15 years. I am 41 now and just started taking Abilify about 8 days ago. I started feeling better after 3 days. I have more energy and just feel so much better. I hope this helps. This medicine really works."

• Anonymous
• May 21, 2008

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Something just "cliked" after I started taking this medication. I’ve suffered depression my whole adulthood and nothing seemed to do much of anything. Less than I week taking Abilify I wanted to be active; I'm happier, and more outgoing. So far no noticeable weight gain."

• jsmit...
• June 16, 2010

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This drug has DRASTICALLY improved my life. I hope it keeps working! I battled depression and anxiety for 15 years tried dozens of drugs, no drugs, diets, therapy, you name it. I even self medicated with alcohol for a short while. Recently my depression and anxiety got so bad I gained 30 pounds, couldn't get out of bed and was suicidal. On Abilify I feel normal, a feeling I haven't had in a long time. I'm motivated to make the most of my day, the crying spells and suicidal ideation has stopped, and I sleep like a baby. I had just about given up on medication thinking they may be the route of my increased depression but Abilify has been a life saver! No negative side effects for me!"

• garre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Tried many different antidepressants for depression and anxiety. Ended up on 45 Remeron and 2 mg of Abilify. Worked after 2 days. After months of debilitating depression and anxiety! I am so thankful. Was worried about taking an anti psychotic, because I'm not bipolar or psychotic. Got over that as soon as I saw results. Will take this medicine as long as needed. Miracle truly!"

• Anguish...
• May 24, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I suffered from extreme depression a year ago, months on end. I tried everything and was on the verge of requesting hospitalization. I took every medicine out there and then my doctor prescribed 2mg of Ability to augment the Remeron I was on. In 1 day the nightmare was over. 1 day after months of such severe anguish that I wanted out! Today I ran into a pharmacist from my Pharmacy while out and about. She told me that her customers that are starting Abilify are reporting that their life is changed, etc. I see from the posts here that not everyone has a life changing experience but I can tell you it was a lifesaver for me. If you are at your wits end try this as an adjunct to your current medicine. It might be the ticket out of your suffering."

• Abilify...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 8, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "For the past 20 years I have been on antidepressants, longest being Remeron. Along with the depression I have had periods of intense anxiety, unbelievably intense, to the extent that I could not stand to be here. In December of 2011 I was in the throws of anxiety and my psych doc suggested 2mg Abilify (in addition to the Remeron). My anxiety was GONE in a day and it has stayed GONE, My depression is gone as well, My pharmacist has told me that others have had a similar experience and are as amazed as I am. I can't say enough about this medicine, amazing, just amazing."

• Olivia...
• May 13, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I had moderate to severe depression on and off, mostly on, for years. Nothing seemed to work, until I tried Abilify. I take about 2-3mg a day. I have been on it for five years now with no side effects and no recurrence of depression symptoms. "

• theco...
• February 11, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Don't let others' bad experiences prevent you from trying this medication. It is strong, yes, and it will affect the chemical balance in your brain and shouldn't be taken lightly, but I'm an example of it working. I used to have bouts of crying randomly, seriously depressed, no will to do much of anything. I started this, kept with it through the side effects and it has been a life changer with my antidepressant. I still feel, but less intensely/exaggerated. It keeps me level headed generally. The first week I felt a little nauseated, and it does increase appetite, but if you don't overeat, you won't gain weight with this medicine."

• HB1000
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2017

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have had chronic mild depression for most of my adult life. I took Prozac for over 20 years but it really didn't help. I was then prescribed Citalopram 40 MG, which did make a positive impact on my depression. When it wasn't quite enough, my doctor prescribed 2 mg of Abilify - which I have been taking for over 3 weeks. I can only say that this med works. I have never ever been a "morning person", but since I started on Abilify, I have been getting up very early and taking on the day with a lot of energy and positivity. In my view, this medication does work as a supplement to existing anti-depressant medication. Only side effect experienced thus far is: mild insomnia (no weight gain at all - at least so far)."

• A925
• May 12, 2017

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I am very very sensitive to medication. My psychiatrist and I tried several meds before landing on this one, which my body can actually tolerate. I was extremely depressed. Nothing seemed to lift the fog. After taking Abilify 2mg (at night), I noticed it's benefits a week later. I'm more determined, focused, and actually want to get healthier. No suicidal thoughts. Don't feel like a zombie. It does make me sleepy which is why I take it at night. It's been almost a month on this new medication and so far so good."

• Sway
• January 23, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I benefit from abilify for MDD. I noticed a huge improvement in my functioning and am able to get more things done. It's not that I have extra energy, I just feel less overwhelmed by doing things and therefore am able to do them. It's helped me lose weight by increasing my ability to be active, and also decreasing my stress/emotional eating. It increased my sex drive, which was something I was struggling with in depression. Overall I recommend this drug for MDD. However, I just recently increased from 7.5mg to 15mg and am starting to feel dizzy and get head aches. Maybe this will lesson or pass soon. If it gets worse then I'll reduce my dose. But I've found this medication to be particularly helpful whereas I've tried a LOT of other meds and find no results. I am also taking lamicital 200mg for BPD/PTSD."

• Austi...
• August 25, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I started 20 MG of Prozac over a year ago and it has since been increased to 60 MG a day. I addition to that I started BuSpar 5 MG about 6 months ago and that also has been increased to 15 MG a day. Even between the two, I still didn't feel like myself again, then I started 5 MG of Abilify a month ago. It has been a blessing. I am doing this now, and becoming less introverted, and I get great satisfaction over small things like simple conversations with friends and family. As it was originally difficult for me to be okay with admitting I was depressed to begin with, I was a little hesitant to take a medicine originally prescribed to those with schizophrenia. Now I am proud to say that I take it, because now I have my life back."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2017

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have been treated with situational depression that turned to a chemical imbalance and have tried just about every SSRI/ SNRI out there. I was on Cymbalta 60mg alone for several years and even with ability 2mg but it wasn't until I tried cymbalta 60mg with Abilify 5 mg that I saw real results I have more energy than I have had in several years, my anxiety and social anxiety levels have diminished to almost non existent. I don't seem to have any side effects from the Abilify. Hope some of you try my advice."

• emren
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 8, 2024

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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."

• Boston
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 28, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was prescribed 5mg of Abilify as a 'booster' to the Wellbutrin 200mg I have been taking for over 5 years. The combination is great! I felt like myself in only a few days and it has continued to be effective over the past 18 months that I've been on the combination. I would highly recommend talking to your doctor about this, it has changed my life!"

• Jano
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2021

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I took Abilify 10mg for several years. It really helped me stabilize my moods and get my depression under control and took away a to of my urges of self harming behaviors. I have found Abilify much more helpful than any other traditional SSRI/antidepressant I have tried in the past like Lexapro, Prozac, and Zoloft. None of those medications really made a significant impact. The reason I stopped taking Abilify is because of the weight gain. Personally, antipsychotic medications have always cause weight gain for me. I gained about 50 pounds while on Abilify. I switched to 50mg Lamictal and have started losing some of the weight. Abilify can really be life changing, but you just have to be aware of the possible side effects."

• cycli...
• January 22, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was in severe depression. Working with a great psychiatrist who had me on Lamictal and Celexa with no change. He added 2.5mg of Abilify and by the 2nd day, I was myself again. Still feel great with good energy level and ability to cope."

• Kenzie
• October 17, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have had it all basically. Had a manic episode in 2009, and then a repeat in 2011, but not as severe. I was okay before that had had no problems with anything maybe a little anxiety. Now that I am older and on my own most days I've had some pretty rocky months, and I was concerned and a bit frightened that the depression would rip me up. I was hesitant to try it because I take Ativan during the day. My doctor suggested Abilify. I have bipolar as well and can't take any antidepressants. He told me to start with a quarter for a week, and really thought it wouldn't work. It was a miracle. I then started taking 2mg at night and have been noticing I've been waking up earlier. Doing things that I would hold off till 3pm. Wonderful."

• CMH
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have been taking different depression medicines for over 20 yrs. Been taking Celexa for the past 4, but even with an increase, I noticed no difference. I didn't realize that depression was causing me to sleep constantly. I could barely function due to my fatigue. I'm a homemaker that could barely get through one little chore a day. After starting 5mg of Abilify, I am a new person! No more naps, rested in the morning, & getting a lot accomplished every day. I am so relieved, & feel so much energy! My appetite has increased, so I hope this is a temporary side effect. Sometimes I feel like I can't sit still either, so I may cut back on the dosage. I've got my life back, & so hope this medicine can help others that are suffering!"

• MSENE...
• November 12, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "i have been depressed most my life, it runs rampant in my family, i really dont have much to be depressed about, i have a good life, i have some bumps, been taking "SERTRALINE 200MG/DAILY", FOREVER, I WAS STUCK, THERE WERE days i would stare out my window for 8 hours doing nothing, zero energy, zero interest in anything, had to force myself to do things, thought some of this was due to being menopausal, but the doc gave me abilify, started with2mg, about 2 weeks later i felt something but not enough, went to 4mg a day with my depression pills, im telling u in one week,, someone turn the lite on, amazing, energy, interests everything, but the cost is unabtainable, no insurance been getting free samples, 1400$/month. help, i cant go off thes"

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

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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 1mg 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."

• Magoo
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 19, 2018

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I’ve been very depressed since losing my Mom two years ago. My depression had worsened to the point where I could hardly drag myself out of bed in the morning. I’ve been on Celexa for anxiety & depression. It was like a magic bullet for my anxiety but did nothing for my depression! My Dr started me on Abilify two weeks ago and I can actually feel it working! I’m actually doing things without having to drag myself. Another positive thing: I’ve always had wonderful dreams at night, but have never had a single dream since I lost my Mom. I actually started having dreams again! I feel like my brain is waking up from a long sleep!"