Abilify for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 3, 2019

"I have major depression and was prescribed Abilify. The pros: It lifted me out of an incredibly deep depression and allowed me to feel better in a relatively quick amount of time. I was able to go back to work and started to socialize within a week of taking the medication after months of having difficulties getting out of bed. It stopped my compulsive thoughts and thinking patterns. The cons: Feeling of restlessness on the drug, unable to enjoy downtime and relax. I always felt like I had to be doing something constantly and keep busy. Weight gain: I was one of the 7% of people affected by this, where the drug slowed down my metabolism, and I gained 15 lbs in six months. Even with regular exercise (three times per week) and eating healthy, I still gained weight."

• kel...
• December 10, 2018

"Since starting Abilify (in combo with Lamictal), I find that my depression, both the major and mild symptoms, is gone! On just Lamictal, it was mild but still there. Now it's as if it's been wiped out. Hope this lasts, as I haven't been on the drug very long. I also have mood swings and impulsivity issues, so I think it helps with that too. Now I'm just waiting for something for my OCD and attention issues."

• Hol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 1, 2021

"This is hands down the best medicine. I’ve been taking it for 6 months, and it’s changed my life. I was suffering from depression and borderline personality disorder, and it’s pretty much cured it 100%. It helps my mood so much. I used to have so much anxiety, especially with relationships, and now I can hold a healthy relationship and friendships. If you’re considering taking it, do it! Only side effect was it made my brain cloudy at first, then went away. 10/10."

• Fin...
• September 29, 2014

"I have been dealing with depression/major depressive disorder for 10 years. Finally, I had enough of the depressive episodes and anxiety. I'm taking Abilify 2 mg (AM) and Seroquel 200 mg (PM). This is the best I've felt in years. I also haven't gained weight, I did have some dizziness, but that lasted about a week and is now gone. It took about two weeks to start seeing a difference in my mood."

• IKa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2020

"After trying a bunch of different avenues to help my depression, I was put on Abilify. I got up to an 8 mg dose before I couldn’t handle the weight gain anymore. I gained 8 lbs in over a month and a half. It really did improve my mood, but once the weight gain starts, it doesn’t stop. I’ve stopped taking it. If you’re okay with packing on the lbs, do try this medication. It is effective."

• Luc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 1, 2020

"Within the first few days, I could feel Abilify working to lift my depression, giving me more optimism and energy. However, at my starting dose of 5 mg, I had restless legs both during the day and at night. A lowered dose of 2 mg worked great for a few months, but now it’s ineffective (this is the dose I’m currently on). My psychiatrist had me increase the dose, but I didn’t feel any effects, so she put me back down to 2 mg. I’m also taking Adderall, and I notice if I skip a dose of Abilify and then take Adderall, I get really bad anxiety as the Adderall wears off. So right now, it’s kind of a neutral medication for me."

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

"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."

• SCA...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 2, 2017

"To anyone just starting Abilify, please reconsider. I started it as an add-on to Lexapro. Initially, it helped me feel like getting out of bed in the morning with slightly more energy or a better outlook, or I just wasn't as groggy when I woke up. Initially, that was helpful, and I got the Rx free or cheap, so I took it for over 2 years. When I finally realized all these new problems were connected to Abilify, it was too late... 50 lb weight gain, constant involuntary movements of fingers, toes, and tongue, mouth sores, wild, harmful actions with no conscience or regret, many more. Then the worst withdrawal symptoms... I wished for death for months, it was so awful. A year after stopping, I'm still not the same and probably never will be."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2021

"Didn't work, and the side effects were awful. I constantly threw up, had fevers, blurred vision, and the worst stomachaches and headaches I've ever had. I'm generally sensitive to drugs, though, so take what I say with a grain of salt."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 18, 2014

"I was put on Abilify to help with major depression/clinical depression and anxiety. The side effects were life-changing. Just horrible. I was put on it at 15. I had hallucinations, pass-out spells, times of absolute carelessness, and increased suicidal thoughts. I also became very hateful and paranoid. I developed unexplained muscle twitches, so my doctor finally took me off of it. I also had constant migraines and increased irritability. I was just a mess on this medication! I still have the muscle twitches, and it's been 5 years since I had Abilify."

• Ran...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2020

"Abilify was great for depression, but the side effects were unreal. I was on Abilify for 2 months and had gained 30 pounds. That was about 3 months ago. I'm still trying to lose the weight and find a good med for my depression and anxiety. I wouldn't suggest Abilify, just because it makes you crave like crazy, and there are other meds out there that won't give you crazy cravings!"

• Rev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 11, 2022

"I was born with major depression and suffered abuse, so reactive depression was also an issue. Although I was internally sad all the time, I was very successful in school, ballet, piano, violin, art, singing, and had lots of friends. I had learned the poem that begins, "Sunday's child is full of grace," so one day I asked my mother what day I was born, and she scoffed and told me my numeric birthday. I told her, "No, the day." A Wednesday! Wednesday's child is full of woe. At the age of six, I felt doomed. I went through life very successful and sad. In my forties, my doctor prescribed antidepressants, which helped, but didn't completely alleviate the depression and sad mood. I saw commercials that touted medicines that added to your antidepressant would help. I went to see my doctor, discussed my situation with him, and he suggested trying 5 mg of Abilify. After the third day of adding Abilify to my other medicines, I woke up feeling "normal" and good. I finally have the ability to be happy!"

• Abi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 17, 2019

"I had severe PTSD due to childhood abuse and sexual assault, had resulting severe depression/severe anxiety/severe suicidality because of the PTSD. Never been medically psychotic in my life, however. Anyways, I went from a 5'4" woman at 100 lbs to 170 lbs in a year thanks to Abilify. The weight gain was absolutely crushing and completely demoralizing. Abilify did very little to improve or stabilize my mood. When I went on it, I was suicidal. When I finally went off of it, I was obese and more suicidal, and to this day deal with disordered eating because of how horrific such rapid weight gain was. One year off of it, I'm back down to 128 lbs, but holy moly did Abilify ruin my life for a good period of time. My body is still recovering. As for the PTSD? I had to deal with the root grief about the untold pain I lived through. An intense medication meant for psychotic patients didn't help me mourn in the slightest."

• NoA...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 10, 2016

"I have been taking Abilify for 10 years. I started when I was 16 years old after a mental breakdown and going to be 26 years old on October. I never went over 15 mg. I'm currently taking 2.5 mg, and I find it quite effective. I did gain some weight, 15 lb at the beginning, but your mental health is very important. If you want to keep healthy and not gain weight while taking Abilify, just eat healthy and hit the gym. I'm 5'6, have a curvy/slim toned body, and I take Abilify, and I feel great with my body. I'm 145 lbs with muscle weight, and I'm quite happy, I'm planning on some abs, thus Abilify hasn't stopped me. It's all in your head. Honestly, this medication works well for me, and I don't think it's the major reason for weight gain. Always consult with your psychiatrist."

• tyh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 26, 2021

"Abilify was prescribed to me to combat psychotic depression and associated anxiety. However, it caused increasing akathisia (restlessness), seriously blurred vision, insomnia, and 'brain zaps.' I'd wake up every hour through the night and finally start moving about at 4 a.m. I couldn't see anything and had to move all the time - if not voluntarily, I'd shake so badly that I had to be prescribed another medication... meant for Parkinson's! Couldn't eat or use my phone at all, and I was in excruciating pain. After 'tolerating' said symptoms for a week, I had a relapse. So no, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone based on my experience. It could be the one for you though. Be very careful, especially if you're in a vulnerable state."

• Suz...
• October 7, 2015

"Have taken Lamictal for about 5 years. Needed an antidepressant to supplement and have tried practically every one, new and old. Tried Abilify 2 mg (?) at night. No side effects, especially weight gain, at all. After about 3 days, had more energy than I have had in years! Great mood, focus, and actually got things done! But only lasted about 3 weeks. Upped dose to 5 mg. Same thing. If only it would last longer than 3 weeks. On the bright side, for 3 weeks at a time, my house was clean, etc! Lol"

• Tif...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 8, 2021

"I have spent the past 2 years in bed feeling so useless and miserable. I had absolutely no interest in anything, I felt like that was just my life after trying so many SSRIs and anxiety meds. I even self-medicated with alcohol and anything else I could try to just feel any little bit of normalcy. Finally, my doctor put me on Abilify 5 mg, and literally the next day, it was like I was a completely different person, the person I once was. I'm excited about life and happy about small things. I even went and got a part-time job, which was amazing because I haven't worked in 12 years. I recommend this medication for anyone who has been struggling to find themselves. Huge life changer!"

• Nan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 18, 2015

"I am on 5 mg of Abilify and 100 mg of Pristiq. I have been on this combination for about a year. As a result, I've been the happiest I have been in many years of struggling with severe depression. HOWEVER, I'm torn. I recently recovered from a very severe eating disorder after 30 years! My weight in a lifetime has been as low as 70 lbs and as high as 120 lbs. I am 5' 3'. NOW, after a year of recovery from the eating disorder AND taking the Abilify and Pristiq, I have gained over 50 lbs!!!! As you can imagine, I am totally freaked out. I suffer from arthritis, and it is very difficult to exercise, although I try. At any rate, I don't know what to do. I feel great, but the weight gain is overwhelming, and I'm still gaining! HELP!!!"

• Kri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 13, 2018

"I was prescribed Abilify along with Cymbalta, and it was horrible! I felt absolutely dead inside. I would rather be depressed than to feel nothing at all. Even when I'm depressed, I still manage to have a sense of humor, but not with Abilify. I just didn't care about anything."

• Mad...
• October 3, 2015

"So this was honestly the best medicine I ever went on for my depression, BUT it made me gain 60 lbs in a matter of 2 or 3 months. And I have always been small my entire life. Didn't change any habits either when I was on this. I've been off this medication for about a year now and haven't lost a pound of the weight I gained because of it, despite working extremely hard. It really sucks because this medicine made me feel great, until I became really overweight. Now I'm too self-conscious and depressed about myself that I don't even go in public unless I absolutely have to."

• Sno...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 25, 2017

"I'm on 5 mg Abilify with a combination of Wellbutrin and Lexapro medication therapy. Having no side effects. My sugar levels are within normal range, and my BMI is at 23, normal range. I've had nothing but success on this medication. Previously, having to try numerous medications, atypical and second-generation antidepressants, the regimen I take now has significantly decreased my symptoms of wanting to harm myself and severe depression (isolation, poor self-care, etc.). This medication is awesome! I would definitely recommend it to others."

• mon...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 20, 2019

"Was placed on Abilify this past May due to continued symptoms of depression and anxiety related to body dysmorphia. My doctor started on 5 mg Abilify along with Pristiq. Within a week or so, I started noticing less preoccupation with my appearance and less depression. Unfortunately, my penis felt rubbery and no libido. No other side effects except maybe some weight gain. Told my doctor, and he said the more you take Abilify, the better you’ll feel, and your libido will improve. Continued to feel better, but libido never improved. Then I found out I have low testosterone, which I believe is from Abilify. I’m 41 years old! Started researching and found that many antipsychotic meds affect prolactin, which affects testosterone. This medication helped but affected my sexual health. Now I’m depressed and anxious again-can’t win!"

• Hal...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2019

"Well, I started this medication 2 weeks ago, and I’m pretty sure I had a 10-day mental breakdown from it. Really dark thoughts, extreme depression, delusional thinking, I thought I was losing my mind, to be honest. Finally stopped it and am feeling 100% better."

• Ski...
• June 5, 2015

"My experience with Abilify was destructive. I am 25 now and have had MDD since age 10. Four years ago, I took Abilify for about 3-4 months. During that time, I experienced paranoia, delusions, worsened depression, and extreme weight gain. I'd never had paranoia or delusions before, and it brought my normal baseline from a 5/10 to a 1/10. That still hasn't changed. I also experienced an extreme compulsive desire to eat (did not go away after I stopped the medication) as well as total thyroid shutdown (atrophy), as can be affirmed by my endocrinologist. In about four months, I gained 80 lbs (more than 60% of my original body weight). I will be on multiple medications the rest of my life to treat damage from Abilify."

• Gre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 12, 2015

"I first tried this drug about five years ago and have been on it consistently for two to three years. The good: this drug really changed my life. I'd tried a laundry list of antidepressants, and they were mostly like popping sugar pills--they didn't do much at all. My psychiatrist suggested adding Abilify, and it did something that no drug had ever done for me: it stabilized my mood (which was all over the map). It allowed me to be happy and productive for the first time ever in my adult life. The bad: I have consistently gained weight every year I've been on the drug, with no sign of a plateau. I'm experimentally discontinuing it to see if I can lose the weight (which is, counter-productively, making me depressed again)."