Aripiprazole and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Dai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 18, 2019

For Schizophrenia "Successful on Abilify Maintena 300 mg for 5 years, except flat affect, anxiety, and inhibition. Switched to Aristada, hoping to help negative symptoms. First month thought it was a miracle drug... was able to smile, feel more emotion, go to the gym daily (on Abilify, I felt fear going alone). Started feeling agitated slowly, then psychosis started on/off, then full inpatient hospitalization for 2 weeks. Returning to Abilify. Why won’t NIMH reinvest in improved research? Find what was helping in Aristada and remove what wasn’t! I felt so close to feeling normal, but psychosis can take my life away!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 23, 2021

For Major Depressive Disorder "I've never been diagnosed as schizophrenic, but this made me paranoid and delusional. Strong twitching and noticeable jerking movements, intense anger, frustration, anxiety, unwanted intrusive thoughts, weight gain, and various other symptoms. In response, my psychiatrist increased the dose of aripiprazole and added additional meds to combat the symptoms. I stopped seeing friends, stopped attending events I had been going to on a weekly basis for years. Eventually, I couldn't even go into a grocery store. Two days after discontinuing aripiprazole (with new doc's blessing), I landed in a psychiatric ward. It never occurred to me that it was the medication's side effects and not me, my mind, my inability to just put on my 'big girl pants' and deal with life. Approximately six years since then, and my mind is not the same, I'm not the same. The fallout is real. Then, I was working full-time, just promoted, and in school. Now, I'm on disability. It works for some, but please proceed with caution."

• 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."

• sen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 28, 2020

For Schizophrenia "I took this drug a few years ago and felt like rubbish! My anxiety came back, I lost confidence, and my eyes were rolling up. I hated this drug! But now I know every drug works differently with people, so this may be good for someone else, but for me it was rubbish!"

• Wir...
• July 18, 2016

For Depression "This is one dangerous drug, for me, it made me feel half dead. To me and the world around me, it made my depression even worse and anxiety really bad to the point I was unable to do the things I wanted to enjoy. Was unable to settle. It put me in a dark place and gave me really bad dreams, and good luck if on it more than 6 months to come off. May the force be with you, it's a horrific experience, so please keep clear!"

• Flo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 7, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Forced onto this medication via a CTO. Delusions are still strong and troublesome. Doctors have no idea how to treat this condition. Side effects include insomnia, anxiety, constantly feeling sick, and I have therefore lost weight. This medication is completely ineffective, and it is easier to live with the delusions without the negative side effects."

• Lin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2021

For Depression "I’ve never experienced such horrible withdrawals from coming off 5 mg/tab in my entire life… I thought I was going crazy!!! I experienced anxiety attacks, sweating, nausea, uncontrollable movements, ringing in my ears, confusion, and the worst thing was I couldn’t stop thinking that my husband was going to die and I was going to be left all alone while not even being able to take care of myself!!! Please be careful before going on any antipsychotic drugs… because when it is time to get off the roller coaster… your withdrawals can literally make you feel like you’re losing your mind."

• Anonymous
• October 3, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "It started off great on Abilify. I had so much energy, and it helped me get up early with more energy. However, once I got to 5 mg, it turned into a nightmare. Extreme anxiety around people, and I would feel like crying for almost no reason. I do not like it and am thankful my doctor let me stop taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 14, 2018

For Schizophrenia "Not myself on this medication. Feel lethargic. Plus, symptoms of depression have gotten worse, and so has being more paranoid. Feel emotionless and zombified after 2 months of taking it. Will never take this medication again."

• Mak...
• February 5, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug is horrendous. I spent a week in a psychiatric ward the year I was twenty, and they titrated it up to ten milligrams by the time I was let out. I was a complete zombie, exhausted all the time - could fall asleep anywhere, any time of the day - so anxious that I had to keep moving my body to function. Kept crossing and uncrossing my legs, wringing my hands, etc. I was so numbed out I simply didn't enjoy life. I don't know how I managed to not kill myself. This thing will wreck you."

• Anonymous
• March 10, 2012

For Bipolar Disorder "I've just finished my first week on Abilify, and although I've been told that the med is ready to do its job from the 2nd or 3rd day you take it, I don't think my brain chemistry has settled down to one reaction. Right now, I'm pleased. I have Bipolar Type 2, and Abilify was prescribed to help with my constant depression. Now I am going back and forth between a little anxious and mildly manic, sometimes in one day. This is a huge improvement. I have energy! I can smile! Hope this is permanent."

• TJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "It did not stabilize my moods. I’m still all over the place, and the fact that I can’t sit still gets really under my nerves. I’m super paranoid on this. I feel 10x worse than I did before. It messed me up completely. Side effects: Severe akathisia, high anxiety, paranoia, delusions, mania, depression, suicidal ideation. I only took this for 2 weeks at a low dose of 5mg, and I'm done."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2021

For Bipolar Disorder "This med wasn’t good for me. It made my anxiety really bad, to the point where I couldn’t even leave my house. I became lightheaded and dizzy and wound up in the hospital because of it. I am currently on Zyprexa to fix what the Abilify has done to me. This was my experience, which may not be the experience you have. Good luck."

• Boy...
• May 1, 2017

For Depression "I have been on antidepressants for years. After several different meds, my doc has me on Celexa 40 mg. I was still experiencing anxiety and worsening depression, so we tried Abilify 10 mg. It was terrific until day 6 when my anxiety was horrible, and I couldn't sit still at all. This med tripled my anxiety, so I stopped it. I'm now taking 1/2 my Celexa (20 mg), and I started myself back on Wellbutrin today. Finally, the anxiety caused by the Abilify is gone. I see my doctor tomorrow, but I was just wondering what else works on anxiety?"

• tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I would love to share my experience with this medication. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with major mood swings affecting my daily life, such as work. I tried Abilify 10 mg, and it made me feel like the living dead, no energy, feeling tired, and a really bad increase in anxiety and feeling paranoid. I was then lowered the dosage to 5 mg, however, it still made me tired and increased my anxiety. My physician does not want to take me off of it. I really do not wish to proceed with this medication. I stopped taking it without letting my doctor know. I really hope to try something else. Thanks."

• tay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I would love to share my experience with this medication. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with major mood swings affecting my daily life, such as work. I tried Abilify 10 mg, and it made me feel like the living dead, no energy, feeling tired, and a really bad increase in anxiety and feeling paranoid. I was then lowered the dosage to 5 mg, however, it still made me tired and increased my anxiety. My physician does not want to take me off of it. I really do not wish to proceed with this medication. I stopped taking it without letting my doctor know. I really hope to try something else. Thanks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2020

For Agitated State "I was recently prescribed Abilify (the generic) during COVID. I have PTSD, BPD, and depression, so with everything going on, it has made me insane. I had rage outbursts and would want to hit people, not to mention the stress and lockdown. Every time I left the house, there were signs and masks everywhere. Anyway, I needed a change. I tried Abilify, I'm on 5 mg now. I found it actually increased my appetite, I gained at least 10 lbs, which I'm not fond of, but I've been eating again. I find it has worked great as far as a mood stabilizer. I've only had 1 panic attack since being on it. The first few weeks, I was really agitated and paranoid, though. If I don't take it at the exact time every day, I feel sick. Overall, it does help with my mood and rage, so I'll stay on it. I don't like the always having to move, it's nice at work, but not if I ever want to relax."

• Ric...
• June 27, 2019

For Autism "My son, 20 years old, autistic. He started having aggression, lots of anxiety. Dr. put him on Abilify, 10 mg in the morning, 10 mg at night. His aggression is worse, and he's also taking Depakote due to a couple of seizures in his teenage years. To make a story short, the Abilify is not helping at all, and his psychiatrist wants me to give him 30 mg. I'm lost, don’t know what to do."

• Gab...
• April 18, 2020

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This is a terrible drug! I would recommend to never take this. I was on it for 3 months, and it was the worst 3 months of my life. My anxiety and depression got so much worse, and I felt as if I was trapped with nowhere to go or no hope. It also made me feel as if I were out of reality."

• 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
• 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."

• Tra...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 5, 2021

For Schizophrenia "It was not a nice time being on Abilify, I was psychotic before starting it, and it did nothing to stop the demons in my head even temporarily. It also gave me a lot of anxiety, or I don't know if it is anxiety, just a very nervous, jittery feeling like my body is leaving my mind or something so difficult to explain. It sucks, not effective for psychosis."

• 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..."

• BAE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 30, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "I have bipolar 1 and started this medication to help with breakthrough symptoms while on a mood stabilizer. Within the first few hours, I knew this wasn't the right medication for me. I was so anxious inside, I felt as if my blood was crawling around beneath my skin. After two days of taking it, I knew that if I stayed on it, I would be at risk of suicide to stop that horrible feeling. Taking it made me stay awake for two days, fretting with anxiety. I spoke to my doctor the first chance I got, and she immediately took me off of it. I'm on other medications now and very stable for years."

• Ali...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 10, 2014

For Bipolar Disorder "This medicine did not work for me. I suffer from bipolar disorder with mood swings and panic disorder. I went up to 10 mg, and it seemed to help my mood, but it pushed my anxiety off the charts. I was a shaky mess while taking it and also unable to focus and complete tasks. Went off within 4 weeks."