Risperdal and Restlessness: What Users Say

• My...
• September 14, 2011

For Schizophrenia "My son had severe acute psychosis and a possible diagnosis of schizophrenia at age 17. Risperdal (Risperidone) brought him back to his normal self, for the most part. He has put on weight (2 trouser sizes bigger) and he is inclined to rock back and forth a little when seated. He is slightly less motivated and says he doesn't retain information as he used to at school. This may be improved by adjusting the dose. But this medicine gave me my son back and seems well-tolerated by him. The psychosis is completely gone."

• awa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 17, 2018

For Schizophrenia "This is a life-destroying drug. I have anger issues, and this drug was mixed in my food by my family. I couldn't read a book, enjoy music, or watch TV. My thought process became impaired. I suffered from the worst kind of akathisia, endlessly walking for seven months and had suicidal thoughts. I became drowsy, lost all motivation, and couldn't care about anything. I was able to come off it after a great struggle and remained drug-free for eleven years and was able to enjoy all the things I couldn't because of this drug. Unfortunately, however, my siblings have again mixed it in my food as I had to stay with them. All the side effects are back, and life feels like a nightmare devoid of purpose again."

• DAM...
• June 27, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 8 months ago and placed on Risperdal after ending up in the hospital due to a nervous breakdown, 6 weeks after my diagnosis. I was prescribed 0.5 mg in the morning and 1.0 mg in the evenings, but I felt like a zombie. It did curb the severe mood swings, and I also gained about 10 pounds in the first month. I didn't like feeling disconnected from the world and not being able to focus or concentrate, so I independently reduced my evening dose to 0.75 mg. I immediately felt better. I'm still struggling with a low sex drive, depression, and have a few moments of hypomania (restlessness, agitation, 'geeked up'), so now my doctor wants me to go on Depakote 500 mg twice a day instead."

• Sco...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 19, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "This stuff literally made me feel life wasn't for me anymore, there were the horrendous side effects, the worst being an uncontrollable need to MOVE somehow (akathisia) and the dark, dark, dark thoughts. I was switched to Seroquel and then to Abilify, but all these gave me the same side effects."

• Met...
• October 15, 2018

For Schizoaffective Disorder "Absolutely horrible drug! I had worsened serious depression and severe akathisia from it. Agitation, irritability, anxiety, aggression also came into play. I have tried many antipsychotics on the market, and this one is by far the worst (now on Quetiapine and Abilify - much better!). No redeeming qualities whatsoever."

• Poo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2019

For Schizoaffective Disorder "This drug is very bad and not helpful. Still hallucinated on it. Blurry vision, restlessness, does not make you tired, brain pain, motor control malfunctioning, difficulty thinking on it, lack of emotion on it. Please don't take this 'medicine.' Very bad. Does not work."

• Cac...
• December 8, 2015

For Schizophrenia "It's impossible to stay on this med long term unless you want man boobs. My nipples have pain in them, and I had sexual side effects. I also had akathisia on this med and needed to pace back and forth. It's not worth the weight gain."

• Anonymous
• April 7, 2011

For Schizoaffective Disorder "When I started Risperdal, it made my whole body shake the first day, but after that, I was restless every day, and I couldn't sit down for long periods of time. The medicine helped a lot with delusions and hallucinations (including audio) and helped a bit with reality perception but did not help with irrational thinking. Gained 15 lbs."

• Ano...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 8, 2017

For Schizophrenia "This makes you restless after long-term use. Good at controlling symptoms if you are patient with it. Ask your doctor to reduce dosage if you feel better after 3 years. Good luck."

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 2, 2015

For Mania "Helped me through paranoia and delusions during psychosis, but gave me pretty bad akathisia (inability to stay put)."

• the...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 27, 2020

For Schizophrenia "While on risperidone, I slept 14 hrs each night, which is good compared to the other antipsychotics I have taken. The main reason for discontinuing the drug was the restlessness."