Abilify for Agitated State User Reviews (Page 2)

• Mac...
• August 5, 2009

"I took this medication in addition to Zoloft 100 mg. My doctor had me on it as a mood stabilizer at 5 mg a day. I don't have bipolar disorder, but had some manic or agitated behavior at the time (which could've been caused by the Zoloft). The doctor prescribed it and thought it would help. It increased my energy, and I began to work out more. For some reason, I woke up early every morning around 8 AM while I was on Abilify. I'm not a morning person, so that's really early for me. Also, I felt 'speeded up,' overly confident, and optimistic. I had to stop taking it because I experienced odd involuntary tongue movements. I was also on Seroquel, which is in the same family of drugs as Abilify, so the doctor thought the combination is what caused the odd effect."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 2, 2016

"It did lots of bad things to me. Increased anger. Sometimes when upset, just pick up a mug and smash it. Could not control it. Also, was violent with someone at least twice. Kicked a hole in the wall in the hospital. Jumped out of a moving car. Found it hard to stay in one spot for long. Probably had akathisia."

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

"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."

• Mom...
• July 17, 2011

"I take this for borderline personality disorder. This medication helped a lot with my mood swings, anger, purging (but not binging), as well as keeping my somewhat delusional 'thoughts' in check (such as thinking that I am morbidly obese, an evil person, that people are following me, etc.). It did make me very tired at first (and still does a little). It is somewhat related to weight gain as well, though less than most other antipsychotics, and I have gained 10-15 lbs so far (in 2 months). Overall, I think this medication is pretty good, despite the weight gain and fatigue."

• EMo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 15, 2021

"I was put on this many years ago for a nervous breakdown, and it started to help almost instantly. It was a good add-on to my antidepressants at the time. I was literally only on it for two weeks, and the doc decided I didn't need it anymore. It worked a lot better than any other things I've been on over the years. No side effects."

• Mr ...
• December 7, 2013

"I was prescribed this medication because of the extreme stresses associated with a chronic disabling disease called relapsing polychondritis. It has destroyed all of my joints, cervical spine damage, ataxia, and the loss of everything in my life that I had worked 30 years to obtain. All gone. I am the type of person who is more angry, agitated, infuriated by the effects of this condition than I am sad or depressed about it. I was also in chronic pain daily since May of 2012. No painkillers would help this type of pain. I can not take methotrexate, DMARDs, biologics, only prednisone, a great diet, and an occasional NSAID. Then my doctor gave me this. I am so happy at this moment (not) to feel the burning sensations, squeezing, aching, pain."

• Anonymous
• September 27, 2012

"My teen is on the first week of Abilify, and Strattera will be added in another week for ADD. He had been on Focalin for ADD/ADHD, which we thought worked the best of all ADD meds we tried over many years. But what we didn't realize is that stimulant meds (like Focalin, Concerta) can cause paranoia, anxiety, and agitation, which came out in him-making his doctor think he had a secondary, more worrisome disorder. Every symptom went away after stopping the stimulant med for 2 months. I hope Abilify works as a balance for the Strattera. His doctor said no more stimulant meds for him, although they work the best."

• cyg...
• January 4, 2010

"My 10-yr-old son has been taking 1 mg of Abilify in the morning for the past 4 months. He used to be prone to loud shouting, hitting, spitting, etc. at home, but now little things don't bother him as much, and he's easier to reason with. No side effects from this dose seem apparent so far. He's also taking 36 mg of Concerta for ADD symptoms, which would otherwise keep him from functioning for more than a couple of hours in the classroom. He's also taking Depakote for seizure control. He's been seizure-free for 2.5 years now, and we are gradually reducing that dose to zero. Eventually, we hope to reduce all these drugs to zero, one at a time."

• Coo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2021

"The side effects are bad at first - do not take Abilify at night! My feet were erratic starting out, and I had a hard time sleeping because I took it at night. Another side effect: weight gain does occur! But this is not because the pill has calories (one review said) or because it gives you munchies (another review said). It simply changes the way your body stores leptin and processes food. Adding in slight exercise or reducing your calories with healthier foods might help - or if you are lucky, it might not affect you at all. I did not notice the weight gain effects on the 5 mg, but I did on the 10 mg. I have gained three pounds in one week. Personally, the weight is not something I can handle, so I will be going back to 5 mg because that worked just fine for me. It might take some experimenting, but try it first (always start with a low dose)."

• Nut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2023

"I was on this very very briefly, in July 2020 for repeated anger rampages. My psychiatrist prescribed me this, and it helped reduce my anger and anxiety. However, I was so restless that I kept pacing, walking fast back and forth, throwing my legs up, and moving my legs around awkwardly, making me sleep all day, I gained 50 lbs. I stopped taking this 3 days later and I’m now on Trileptal and feel a lot better."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 14, 2021

"I was put on 4 mg of Abilify for anxiety. The worst drug I have ever been put on. While it almost immediately took action on my anxious and intrusive thoughts and panic attacks, there was a cost that eventually took over my life. It made me empty-headed to the point where I couldn’t hold conversations with people without feeling awkward or wondering how in the world I'm gonna keep this conversation going. I was constantly drained around my friends and couldn’t enjoy myself because all I could think about was what I was gonna say next. Abilify got rid of my creativity, I was in an artistic block for months. Awful drug, do not recommend."

• Sea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2021

"I have ADHD and GAD. Vybrid 40 mg is helpful, but not the complete answer. Provider added 2 mg of Abilify, and within 2 weeks, ruminating thoughts, OCD tendencies, and remaining anxiety were relieved. No weight gain, only side effect is odd dreams that wake me up around 4 am daily."

• jas...
• May 24, 2017

"My little brother was on this medicine for close to a week and half and the second he realized it wasn't helping him he stopped taking them and the life is sucked out of his body. He has cold sweats and struggles to find a meaning for life. Before he was happy and just had some major issues with our parents so the psychiatrist prescribed him this. This is a bad drug . 1 star. Cry on your friend shoulders until your better but don't take this drug if I met the creator of this I would express to him/her how many lives he probably responsible for- it is a disgrace to society."

• Ban...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2021

"I’ve been dealing with anger/mood issues. My psychiatrist put me on 5mg Abilify. I took it last night for the first time. I woke up puking, and having diarrhea. I have had a dizzy spell, if I get up. My heart will race. It was recommended to take before bedtime. But, I’ve been up all night. Wasn’t a pleasant experience."

• Gan...
• January 25, 2021

"My son was prescribed Abilify for "aggressive" behavior at age 6. It didn't really change his behavior. Within a year he began showing symptoms of ADHD, despite no signs before starting the med. Is the restlessness really ADHD, or is it akathisia caused by the med? He also became compulsive on Abilify, which I learned only recently is a known side-effect of the medication. His BMI is now borderline obese, and his metabolic labs are all elevated. I'm now tapering him off of it after more than 3 years. I've noticed a reduction in his compulsive and thrill seeking behavior, though he still can't sit still for the life of him. Hopefully those withdrawl side-effects will subside with time. If a doctor recommends your child take a mood-stabilizer, remember that a calm parent is the best mood-stabilizer for a child. This stuff isn't FDA approved for use in children for a reason. I'm not anti-medication and I'm sure this med works for some people, but this med did not work for him."

• 202...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 1, 2021

"My doctor put me on 2 mg of Abilify for anxiety along with 100 mg of Zoloft. Did not feel any different so my doctor raised it to 5 mg. I began having nose bleeds, and depersonalized. I did not feel real at all, it was so scary. I felt so out of it I had to miss work and could not get out of bed. Horrible drug for me"

• Ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2021

"My 5 year old has Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and very aggressive. Has been kicked out of several programs and school for safety of others. We originally had 2mg of Abilify with no result...moved to 5mg and still nothing. Waiting on a gene site and hoping to find proper meds. I do not recommend abilify for ODD in youngins. But again your child may respond positive"

• abe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2021

"For my OCD symptoms, and they are, or were, severe, 10 mg of Abilify works wonders. Though I am experiencing impulses that I usually don't have -- I'm basically binging in what I enjoy most, way more than usual. I'm also gaining weight and am tired a lot, but I'm still giving it an 8/10 because my OCD ruminations, intrusive thoughts, and overall quality of life has GREATLY improved since on Abilify, which has been almost a month."

• Toe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 9, 2019

"On this drug, I get anger and agitation. Going to go on something else instead, can't bear it."

• sig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2014

"I took this to replace Wellbutrin, which didn't seem to work. This medication seems to make me very easily agitated, not to mention the fatigue."

• not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2014

"I was diagnosed with toxic psychosis due to cannabis abuse, and this medicine saved my life while no other medicine could end my delusions and paranoia. I am very thankful."

• Ari...
• April 2, 2016

"I'm taking Abilify with an antidepressant to stabilize my mood. It just makes me shaky and agitated. Before Abilify, my mood would be up and down. But now I'm just down and agitated all the time."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2017

"Gave me akathisia that still does not go away 8 days after quitting, while it should. I need to be moving all the time (in a car or something like that counts), and it's unbearable."

• Anonymous
• August 23, 2021

"Generic abilify caused blackout. Same happened to friend."

• net...
• April 23, 2009

"This medication made me sleepy and far less alert than normal. It worsened my condition."