Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 2)

• AAB...
• July 19, 2013

"This medicine has been a game changer for me. I stopped stress eating and lost weight, my mood stabilized, and I have been incredibly productive and achieved great things on it. It does wonders for my anxiety. I have been on it for a year and could not be happier with the product. It is expensive but WORTH it! Highly recommend."

• ail...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2020

"I took this medication for about two months, I'd say. The highest I ever went to was 5 mg. While it did work on the depression, it made the mania a lot worse to the point where I went psychotic and ended up in the hospital. The biggest issue I had was that the doctor was very intent on keeping me on this drug despite the fact it was not working."

• Liz...
• December 29, 2020

"I took Trileptal by itself for a long time. That helped at first, but I never quite felt normal. I then hit a stressful point in my life and began having a lot of mania and depression. I started neglecting my meds, feeling hopeless. My doctor then suggested I take Abilify 5 mg in addition to the Trileptal. After seeing reviews about weight gain, increased mania, etc., I was wary about trying it, but I decided to. I have not gained any weight from the med (I am 5’4", 115 lbs, young female). The first few days I was switching rapidly between manic and depressed and had a lot of insomnia. However, after about 3-4 days, I noticed for the first time in 5 years I feel like myself again. I haven’t been this leveled and happy in so long. I rarely have depressive or manic episodes, which is something I thought was impossible. Definitely give this a try and don’t be discouraged by the first few days. It’s so worth it."

• Rid...
• December 18, 2019

"Abilify was the first medication prescribed following my bipolar diagnosis. I was told it had a side effect of weight gain. When I first started it, for 14 days, I was MISERABLE...I couldn't eat, sleep, use the restroom, lay down without fidgeting, focus, or stop thinking super fast. But on day 15, all those awful effects disappeared. I never experienced anything bad other than weight gain. I had the same side effects weaning off it. (That was 300+ pounds ago. I didn't change my eating or exercising habits.) In 2017, my new psychiatrist changed medications, and I dropped 41 pounds in two years, the Abilify slowed my metabolism. I mainly noticed how it gave me a sense of controlled well-being. In the 15 years I took it, I only missed two doses. I figured if I did my part, took medication, and stayed actively involved in my own therapy, then life would be the best it could."

• CJa...
• March 6, 2021

"I've been on Abilify for 7 months now, 15 mg. Initially, for the first month, I felt restless but full of energy. I had mild nausea that made me lose 7 lbs. Then, over time, these symptoms disappeared, and I experienced calmness. No paranoia anymore, and my negative thoughts have been reduced dramatically. So did my manic episodes and my depression, so I’m now stable. However, I've put on 18 lbs, even with exercising every day, I can’t seem to shift the weight! But the good overrides the bad. I recommend this medication for BPD and bipolar, it’s changed my life."

• Anonymous
• July 9, 2008

"This medication has given me my life back. I now have clarity and balance back in my life. So far, I have not gained any weight and have experienced no side effects. I also suffered from severe insomnia, which is completely gone."

• Hil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 9, 2022

"I was on 5 mg Abilify for 5 months. I had frequent muscle spasms, insomnia, nauseous, lost weight, very restless, crying spells, worse anxiety, and no appetite. Ended up with an electrolyte imbalance and frequent dehydration. I’m taking nothing now and feel normal again. Thank God for THC!"

• Lif...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 25, 2024

"Taking Abilify for 10 months now has been life-changing for me. I barely have any more bipolar symptoms. It has helped my anxiety. I feel like I can do things and interact with people. I feel stable. I will warn that the adjustment period was difficult for me, the only way I can describe how I felt during the beginning stages was weird. But now I feel great."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2019

"Thank you all so much for your candid feedback! I needed this for support and better understanding. I sobbed reading every comment because I can relate. My 18-year-old son has psychosis and mania. Meds just changed. Lithium dropped due to “out of range” high toxicity. Antipsychotic med, risperidone, no longer effective after a year. He has been on Abilify for 1 week. After 1 day, I could tell his psychosis was disappearing. He realized the date on the calendar, acted as if he had missed a month of his life. Then immediately jumped back in the game! He showered with soap! His obsessive, fixated thoughts and actions stopped, and he quickly reprioritized his responsibilities. Side effects: nausea, sick, no appetite for days. Zofran is helping. Slightly more aggravated at times, pesters family, a little removed, impulsive, and quick to snap. It’s only been a week, so hoping these symptoms stop and mood levels out. Thank you again for sharing! Love and wellness to all."

• Bun...
• July 11, 2013

"This is what I've always needed. My mood is lifted, I have energy I never had before, I don't feel sad and helpless anymore, my anxiety has lessened and I'm easier to get along with. This may just save my failing marriage. I was afraid of all the side effect warnings but I only experienced mild nausea for about a week, and for the first few days I woke up intermittently during the night, but could easily fall asleep again almost immediately. Feeling so much better!"

• Bur...
• June 25, 2020

"Been taking this injection, Abilify Maintena, for the past five months and have had no side effects. I started taking the pill form (with no side effects), but I get stubborn and ambitious and stop taking my meds. Plus, it sucks to take pills every day. This has helped dramatically. My mood is significantly better and, after many years (over five), I’ve finally stabilized. I see my doctor once a month and she gives me the shot. Only downside is the price. There are many ways to get around that though... just communicate with your doctor. I highly recommend this for treatment-resistant depression and mood swings. Saved my life!"

• Jes...
• March 12, 2015

"Day one: TERRIBLE! Very tired, had to stay home from work. Day two: Getting better. Very tired in the morning but the day improved. Day three: Wonderful! I am not sure what 'normal' is, but if this is it, I am in heaven. Awake, focused, appropriate amount of energy, easygoing mood, less irritable, and lower anxiety (could be the Xanax on the last one). I am just beginning the medication, but typically meds have a quick effect on me and stick. I have not noticed any unusual appetite increases, but I am certainly going to keep an eye on it because I noticed a large percentage experience weight gain. As my fiancé says-mental health is more important than gaining a few pounds anyway."

• Clo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 13, 2019

"Abilify 400 mg injection at first made me so anxious and felt suicidal. My doctors said it wasn't the drug, it was my depression and anxiety. They persisted with it, as I'm not compliant with tablets. I have bipolar 1 with psychosis. It has helped with psychosis, but the side effects are destroying me. Extreme lethargy and total numbness, physically, mentally, and emotionally. It has made me gain weight also, despite daily exercise. I have no libido whatsoever anymore. When I complain to the psychiatrist, they just say it's not supposed to do that, there must be another reason for these things. I also feel like I have no memory but have impulses to gamble and spend money. I have no energy to fight anymore, it's so sad and disgusting that my quality of life is not a factor to these people, doctors, etc. As long as I'm not in the ward, it's all that matters to them."

• Anonymous
• May 12, 2009

"My son was aggressive and was doing poorly in school. Hitting other students and the teachers, having meltdowns practically every day. A week after he started taking Abilify, his teacher called and told me he was like a different child. He was focusing and not getting upset so easily. I was just told he is the star student for the month, and that has NEVER happened. He is now potentially looking at joining the general population at school. So far, this has been a lifesaver, and now my child can focus on learning and thriving instead of giving up and having fits when he gets frustrated."

• Sky...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2022

"My husband is middle-aged with a history of depression and violent anger rages in the blink of an eye. Lamictal has helped, as well as Lexapro and Celexa, but the depression and rages were not fully controlled until Abilify. I now know bipolar or schizophrenia cannot just be treated with antidepressants alone. It causes mania! He has lost 8 pounds in the couple of months he has been on Abilify and no longer lays in bed in the middle of the day for hours on end. I see a glimpse of the person I dated 13 years ago and am amazed this is all he needed. He has suffered two severe concussions in the past, and one parent has manic depression to the point of trying to commit suicide multiple times. He started on 2 mg and now has switched to 5 mg, which is working well. He is much more mature in conversations and can take a time out when his anger flares instead of destroying things and screaming/spitting at me. I am really impressed and pray this continues to work. Good luck to all ♥️"

• cee...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 16, 2014

"I am diagnosed bipolar, and I have tried Lamictal, Lithium, Latuda, and I don't even know how many other combinations. Abilify was the only one that has shown results for me. Yes, it tends to make me tired about 4-5 hours after taking it. And it makes me eat like a piggy sometimes, which has caused some weight gain. But nothing too severe. I take 5 mg in the morning and 5 mg at night, the perfect dose for me. It keeps my moods perfectly balanced, but I have been taking Abilify since I was 15, and I am now 20 and do not plan on stopping it anytime soon. I have tried that, and it did not end well."

• SAL...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

"TOTAL MISERY FROM ABILIFY INJECTION 400 DOSE! I had to find somewhere to sleep all day and then slept all night too! I immediately gained in 30 days, 30 lbs - they have gone straight to my waistline! Abilify is the worst ever medication! My diagnosis - bipolar disorder & schizoaffective disorder. I was forced into a mental hospital, told that if I refused the meds, I wouldn't be released for 30 days, and I could be released in 14 days if I consented. I didn't know there was an injection too! I would have just waited it out had I known the ill effect that the Abilify injection 400 time release would have on my endocrine system! Totally ruined my lipids."

• Kel...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2019

"I took Abilify for over 6 years, and at first, it worked very well. Year 2, I started having face twitching, shakiness, and stuttering speech. In the 3rd year, I started with tardive dyskinesia. In 4-6 ish years, I had all the aforementioned and added falling at least 6 times a day. I was so shaky I could barely walk, plus my memory was shot. I couldn't remember my phone number or email address I had for 10 years. A new psych took me off, and within 2 months, almost all of the symptoms were gone. I think some of the shakiness and memory loss are permanent, but I have a new lease on life. Poison. Pure poison. I wish I could have those 6 years back."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2013

"I was recently diagnosed at age 24 with bipolar disorder (some paranoid features) co-morbid with Asperger's disorder. I have woken up in the morning all my life in an absolute rage, and my bipolar has affected my life in more ways than I care to mention. I wish I would have known about my mental illness sooner-I thought everyone felt like I did. I have been on this medicine for a week, and for once in my life, I wake up in a good mood, I stay in a good mood during the day, and am generally happy. I am extremely productive instead of either too manic or too depressed to function. The only bad thing is the akathisia, but it’s worth it."

• Cha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2017

"After taking antipsychotic medications for 9 years and trying just about every single one of them, I have finally found one that is working for me at this point in my life. I started this medication (Abilify) nearly 4 months ago, and the positive changes I’ve seen in my life make me so happy. I have lost almost 30 pounds within these last several months. I have been more active with my children, and I actually get off the couch and walk and enjoy life. I’ve been involved with my “FitBit” challenges, which I would’ve never attempted to even think about doing before. My manic episodes are very rare and less erratic. Before, when I would be on antipsychotic medication, I would feel like I was in a “zombie mode,” barely functioning day by day. The only downfall I have with this medication (Abilify), which is a side effect, is if I get up too quickly, I get dizzy and just collapse. Now I’m at a plateau with my weight, but I’m not gaining weight either. I give this antipsychotic medication a 9 out of 10."

• ihc...
• June 14, 2009

"I am bipolar and have swung into a massive depressive cycle, crying for no reason, sleeping 14 or more hours a day, feeling hopeless about my life, suicidal thoughts, etc., so my doctor put me back on Abilify (I had been on it before but it had been such a long time I couldn't remember if it helped or not). In just a few days, at 5 mg at night, my mood is very improved. I can actually get out of bed, I'm much more upbeat, much more pleasant to be around. The only side-effect I have is when I take it, about half an hour later, I am soaked in sweat. My shirt actually becomes saturated to the point I have to change into a dry one. That's why it got 9."

• BP2...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 12, 2020

"This was one of the worst medications I’ve ever tried. I have bipolar II with rapid cycling, and this medication literally made me out of it. I could barely gather thoughts. I felt dumb as a rock and couldn’t focus. I also felt so agitated that it took all my energy to survive the day. It made me hungry but did nothing for depression or hypomania. My eyeballs felt like they were rolling around, and I could have just stared at a white wall. Stopping it was like a dream. I took it for a few months. Worst med ever. Totally net negative. Beware if you have my combo of bipolar."

• Ori...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 19, 2013

"This pulled me right out of the zombie state the mood stabilizer-antidepressant combination had put me in. I still have swings, but they're not as deep or as long, and my mania is still stifled enough that it's productive rather than destructive."

• Jby...
• April 12, 2008

"I have been taking Abilify for about 3 years now. It has changed my life dramatically. It has greatly lessened my highs and lows. It has balanced me out when it comes to all the typical bipolar symptoms."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 27, 2021

"Abilify was the cause of the worst year of my life. Massive depression and constantly comatose. I was like a zombie. I woke up in the morning thinking, “When do I get to go back to sleep?” Suicidal thoughts were frequent. My wife would frequently comment on how I wasn’t myself, how I didn’t talk anymore. I was a shell. I also gained 20 lbs (I’m a skinny guy with a high metabolism). When I finally detoxed from the drug, I had energy again. My weight gain is now mostly gone, and I engage with my family and am more present. Abilify was the worst thing I have ever done to myself."