Aripiprazole and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Nic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 17, 2016

Aripiprazole for Schizoaffective Disorder "I developed severe akathisia (restlessness) while taking this medication. I had a difficult time sitting in one place for more than a few minutes, and it was absolutely exhausting. I also developed insomnia and TD (tardive dyskinesia), and altogether I would say this medication was very difficult to tolerate. I was happy to be taken off of it."

• Anonymous
• May 17, 2009

Aripiprazole for Depression "Over the years, I've tried a number of different medications. I tried switching to Abilify from Seroquel because of weight gain. My mood on it was good, but the side effects far outweighed any positive reaction. I couldn't sit still, and I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. As far as all of my experiences with medications, it's probably the worst I've ever felt. I literally did not sleep for DAYS, I couldn't concentrate, I couldn't get comfortable in ANY position (standing, sitting, or even lying down), and I felt like my thoughts were out of control. But it was worth a shot. I went on to a combination of Zoloft and Lamictal, which works very well for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 19, 2012

Aripiprazole for Schizoaffective Disorder "Sadly, this medicine was at one time my worst enemy. I couldn't sit still on it, I kept pacing and twitching, half screaming, half crying, agitated, itchy, and angry. I couldn't sleep for more than 4 hours a night, and I was only on 2.5 mg of it. I don't remember if I ate or not on it, but probably not because I was in a type of hell. I know it's a good medicine for a lot of people, but for me, it turned my life upside down."

• Sal...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 6, 2016

Aripiprazole for Schizoaffective Disorder "Been on Abilify for 8 years. It completely removed my delusional thinking patterns at just 5 mg, and at 10 mg, it resolved a mania psychosis and helped me get my life back on track. Only side effects were insomnia (which I took Imozop for) for when I initially began taking it, but 2-3 weeks after the trial, I was side-effect free."

• kay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 30, 2023

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "I've suffered from depression since I was 12. I'm now 36. At 31, I was diagnosed with bipolar II. I've tried various combinations of antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidepressants. I've found a few that have somewhat worked, but none of them have given me the motivation and will to LIVE like Abilify has just in the 4 days I've been taking it. I'm doing my hobbies again, and I actually cleaned the whole house at once for the first time in a year. I'm painting my nails again and doing makeup again, which I haven't done in over 4 months now. I read the reviews on here before suggesting it to my doctor, and boy, I'm so glad I did. I have HOPE again for my future. I have THE WILL TO ACTUALLY LIVE AGAIN! The only side effects I'm experiencing are kind of unfortunate but worth it in my opinion, I sometimes throw up in my throat and have heartburn. I may be experiencing insomnia a tad bit too. I recommend trying this drug. I'm also taking 100mg Lamotrigine once daily."

• Unk...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 4, 2022

Aripiprazole for Schizoaffective Disorder "Worst experience of my life. Gave me suicidal thoughts, insomnia, mania, delusions, the perception that I want to sleep with men, and hallucinations. If you’re taking this drug, you might as well set up a tent at the hospital."

• Dre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2020

Aripiprazole for Schizophrenia "This drug is okay for psychosis, but it can make me tired at times, and sometimes I cannot sleep. I have insomnia from it. It takes away the bad thoughts, but can make me have OCD-like thought patterns and ruminating thoughts. I have been having odd side effects from it as well, like blurred vision, needing to look up all the time, and sensitivity to light in my eyes. I feel more tired on it than I do off of it. My dose is 400 mg monthly, and these are the side effects I am getting off of it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 24, 2021

Aripiprazole for Depression "I started back on the 300 mg injection. I took myself off Abilify for a year because I believed it cured me. Then a year later, I started getting bad insomnia and anxiety. I would stay up 3 days and nights at a time. I got tired of feeling bad. So I begged my psychiatrist to order more of the 300 mg injection. No side effects, I sleep every night so well that the next day I have more energy. I'm not weak and tired during the day. No more anxiety, no more negative feelings, rarely I may get down. Nowhere near as bad as I was, one of my favorite medications. When I first get the injection, I feel great, ready for life. I'm glad I have no side effects. I feel younger and normal instead of constant anxiety, fear, and no sleep. I'm grateful for Abilify, miracle drug. I learned for it to work I have to keep taking it to feel well. The lesson I learned is to never tell my doctor I'm doing good and tell him to stop my meds because I'm good. I'm doing good because I take the medication injection. I'm happy to take it."

• SAD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 10, 2018

Aripiprazole for Schizoaffective Disorder "I have had schizoaffective disorder for 18 years. I was on haloperidol for over 10 years, been on Abilify for 3 weeks, and I can actually have feelings of happiness and contentment now. Teamed with an antidepressant called Endep, I feel better than I have for 18 years. More energy, less paranoia, able to concentrate for longer periods of time. I was getting side effects of hunger, but I just drink water instead of eating. Hunger is subsiding 3 1/2 weeks taking Abilify. Experiencing some insomnia but getting more and more sleep every night. Otherwise, feeling great, ready to take on the world!"

• BP ...
• February 22, 2012

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "Has significantly reduced my mania and irritability. I'm much more stable. Has also reduced my need for alcohol, which I used frequently to medicate. I've been on several medicines for bipolar, and this one seems to work for me. Started at 2 mg at night and worked up to 10 mg (5th day at 10 mg) and feel much more in control. My insomnia is gone too. I haven't gained any weight but was on Risperdal (gained 10 lbs) can't seem to lose that weight. Since I've decided to quit drinking, maybe I'll lose the weight."

• Tug...
• October 1, 2009

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "I was on Abilify for 3 weeks total. On the 3rd day on the drug, I started to feel shaky, like something had to be moving at all times. I figured it would just go away, so when I got no sleep that night from this, I thought tomorrow would be better. But on day 4, it was worse, so I called my doctor, and he told me to take a half a pill, and by this time, my legs were visibly shaking out of control. I would have to push on them to make them stop. On days 5, 6, and 7, I had the same thing: shaky and no sleep. Everything hurt from the shaking. It was so bad at one point I broke down in the middle of my in-laws' home. That day, my doctor took me off this medicine, and 2 days later, all the shaking was gone."

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2009

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "I was given this drug, and I started having pains all up and down my spine. I continued the drug because of my psychiatrist's insistence that it wasn't caused by the drug. Months later, I started having problems with paranoia and insomnia. I ended up in the hospital because I was almost suicidal, and they took me off the medications. All the side effects just melted away after that."

• Anonymous
• July 26, 2011

Aripiprazole for Depression "I have had an extended bout of situational depression after my mother died. Abilify definitely helped with motivation for me, so far it has been the best medication in this regard. However, the constant sensation of heat and flu-like symptoms are quite bothersome (worse than a menopausal hot flash), but the insomnia will ultimately prevent me from taking this medication as I need to be able to drive."

• Ang...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2021

Aripiprazole for Autism "Our 15-year-old son was put on Abilify to help with violent tics/outbursts. It seemed to help at first. He seemed more mellow. But slowly they upped his dosage. The tics/outbursts became more frequent, and he would not sleep at night. We took him off Abilify. The tics/outbursts still happen, but it's more of an occasional thing versus every single day - multiple times a day. He's been given Clonidine to help him sleep. It puts him to sleep - but we still contend with him getting up every night and sometimes not going back to sleep."

• KTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2021

Aripiprazole for Autism "I take it with Lexapro, and it’s been amazing for my depression and irritability. I feel better than I have in years. The only side effects I don’t care for are the insomnia/waking up in the middle of the night."

• KTa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 11, 2021

Aripiprazole for Autism "I take it with Lexapro, and it’s been amazing for my depression and irritability. I feel better than I have in years. The only side effects I don’t care for are the insomnia/waking up in the middle of the night."

• Suk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2014

Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "After taking several antidepressants across medicine classes, my doctor prescribed Abilify to take with Wellbutrin. I took the Abilify for 4 weeks before I couldn't take it anymore. I experienced severe panic and insomnia. I am an anxious person, but I began getting extremely anxious and panicked about weird, insignificant things that had never bothered me before. Through my insurance, this medication was $75 every month. I think that would be worth it if it helped, but a complete waste to feel worse."

• Anonymous
• January 27, 2012

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "It seemed to work well, but I developed akathisia on this medicine. I took it for a few months. I felt like I could not sit still. I had to keep moving. I could not enjoy anything. I also had trouble sleeping. I tried lowering the dosage, then we tried increasing the dosage, but nothing helped. I finally had to stop taking it because of the side effects."

• Pos...
• September 29, 2021

Aripiprazole for Depression "I have had episodes of depression and anxiety my whole life (I’m 55). I got Prozac as soon as it became popular, 1989ish. Prozac kept me fairly good for 20 years (I can only handle a small dose), then it pooped out 2 years ago. I switched to Lexapro 5mg (I’m sensitive to SSRIs) and was good till a week ago. I have no clue why, but I started crying and not sleeping. I nipped it in the bud and added 2mg Abilify. Voilà! 7 days and I have not needed a Xanax! Feel strong."

• lng...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2016

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "Whilst taking Abilify, I had terrible insomnia. I never slept for more than 2 hours at a time. I reached the stage where I slept wherever I felt sleepy. I never slept in bed for the 6 months I took this horrible drug. I gained a lot of weight, probably due to the lack of sleep. Should have stopped sooner."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 12, 2017

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "I've been on Abilify for almost a month. The only side effect I have is waking up in the middle of the night a few times. I have actually lost 12 pounds. I am eating good and drinking plenty of water, so I'm sure that helps. I'm also on Zoloft and Topamax. All in all, it's a much better drug than my previous Geodon. I would recommend it."

• Evi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2018

Aripiprazole for Autism "Took them for a year. Didn't really do much, and the side effects outweighed the benefits. It started a pattern of new insomnia where I wake up multiple times a night, so I went off of it and got really irritating and anxiety-triggering dyskinesia. Over a year since I've taken them, and the sleep problems have not stopped. It absolutely fried my short-term memory. People are always telling me the same thing over and over again because I can't remember things anymore."

• Man...
• January 13, 2017

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "Total mania, could not sleep, monitored sleep showed never in REM sleep at all over an 8-hour period. Anxious, increased respiratory rate, wide awake, no hunger, racking thoughts. Unable to finally function at job related to no sleep. This drug is horrid!"

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

For Borderline Personality Disorder "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....."

• HKa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 26, 2021

Aripiprazole for Depression "I've been taking this along with Clonidine for a month, and they increased Abilify to 5 mg. Once this happened, after a bit, I've started to get insomnia, restlessness/anxiousness, nausea, appetite change (not hungry). I chose to go off it myself since my psych insisted I stay on, but I couldn't keep torturing myself like this. Hopefully, my body returns to normal when I could sleep and eat without worries."