Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Polar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 25, 2018

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was once told by a man online that serotonin and dopamine our happy feel good neurotransmitters. And that to contain my bipolar volatility my doctor was turning down the volume. Side effect. I have no get up n go. My head was once a storm.. now a glassy lake. But there is no wind. No sound. No nothing anymore. I feel empty. Numb. Tired, weak, never sad, never happy. Just flat. I’m tapering off of all antipsychotics and moving onto lithium orotate. Life could be so much better. "

• SALLY
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 25, 2020

Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) "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- bi-polar 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"

• Chango
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 10, 2019

Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole) "This stuff is ugly, it numbs all feelings and desires, I sleep for about 12 to 14 hours. The weight gain is crazy, sexual side effects too, I took this stuff for a year and a half, then stopped cold turkey, with no problem...I wouldn't recommend this Abilify Maintena or ever take it agin"

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

Abilify (aripiprazole) "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."

• MrRow...
• December 6, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Abilify is not for everyone. I experienced severe personality change within a month. The story: I have had bipolar disorder since I was 13 and have been in treatment for 9 years. When Abilify came out, we tried Abilify to "bridge" getting me off atypical antipsychotics and onto a mood stabilizer. The 20 day experience was horrible. My personality changed radically. I didn't know myself anymore. Friends, my lover, my boss, all begged me to stop. I felt weird on it, not better. Severe personality changes are possible with Abilify. I called my psych, we stopped the medicine and moved onward. Those 20 days were destructive, but my friends & job were kind and life returned to normal."

• Ferna...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2020

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Abilify helped with my manic episodes, but gained 15 pounds after a month and spiralled into a horrible depression that saw me in bed for weeks after I tried to come off the drug. Felt near completely disabled. Not for me."

• Ive...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 7, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This medicine Abilify has done wonders for my hallucinations ! They are 3/4 the way gone and I've never felt more stable in my whole life. Earlier when I was just depressed so they added Abilify to my Zoloft. It did not spark joy at all, made me gain 15 pounds. But a year later I developed psychosis and they gave me Abilify once again. It worked like a miracle this time! I have been on this medication for about 6 months and its been so good, highly, highly recommend this if you are experiencing psychosis!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2012

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I'm 38 and have been suffering from bipolar and some schizophrenia since age 12. First time in my life that a pill other than a painkiller took away the crushing pressure pinning my dreams, my soul, to the ground."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 12, 2012

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have been taking Abilify for nearly two years to manage my episodes of rage. The medication helps me to talk myself down in circumstances that I would usually build on my ridiculous ideas. It is a miracle medicine for me. Last month when the price went up to $120 dollars I decided to try and manage without it since I am also on a mood stabilizer and an antidepressant. That was a bad idea. After about 9 days I started noticing my episodes of rage increasing and I also started feeling more social anxiety. My husband requested that I begin taking the Abilify again, and after just a couple days I was back to my "normal" self. I take 15 mg at bedtime. Although the cost is high, it is worth it to keep my sanity."

• mare...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 14, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I WAS on Abilify for more than a year. then it got prohibitively expensive. (over $250) I was on 15mg. It made my rage and aggression more manageable. I think this is a MIRACLE pill. The only side affect that DIDN'T go away, was the restless leg syndrome. If you can afford this medicine, take it, it's GREAT."

• Anony...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 16, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This medication Abilify almost killed me. I started it in January for bipolar and felt flat and slightly suicidal (as I had before starting it) for about two months on it. Experienced some weight gain. After the two months, I began to have obsessive suicidal thoughts to the point I couldn't concentrate. Oddly enough, I didn't feel depressed just non-stop suicidal thoughts. I got off of it and switched to lithium, haven't had a suicidal thought in months!"

• Amazing...
• July 16, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I was VERY hesitant on taking this medication, and like most of you reading these reviews, I too was scared of what it might or might not do. All I can say, in 3 days (2mg dose) there was a huge difference in my attitude, calmness and overall presence in me and my thoughts. Amazing!!!! I have so much energy and love doing things again. It has been one week, and for those of you who are affraid to gain weight; you must know, I am losing weight. It has actually decreased my apitite, however that might be because I am cautious of it and find other ways to curb cravings. One side effect I am having is NOT sleeping, although we are going through a bit of a heat wave and even air conditioning is not helping. Good Luck!"

• ky girl
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I have tried many bipolar, mania medicines with none being the right one, however when my doctor prescribed Abilify it helped majorly in my life. I am on a combination of Abilify, Divalproex and Trazadone. All of which work in my favor. It is very comforting to know there is a medicine out there that understands bipolar patients."

• Anonymous
• December 9, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Up until recently, I was taking just 1 mg of Abilify along with 300 mg of Lamictal. My doctor had me on 2, but I felt like it made me feel apathetic and kind of dissociated, so I began cutting the pill in half. I did notice that I felt less depressed, could focus better, and did not experience such strong mood episodes. However, within a month I was experiencing this extremely intense paranoia that I never had before. I had chest pains and headaches regularly. I couldn't eat and often felt sick because of how anxious I was. So yes, Abilify did benefit me alongside this weird side effect. My doctor had me convinced the medication wasn't causing the paranoia, it was "just me", but as soon as I stopped taking it the headaches, chest pains, and bursts of anxiety have stopped. I do feel more depressed and my mood swings have come back harder. I'm getting a new doctor soon to hopefully put me on another type of antipsychotic"

• Kome
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 3, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This medicine has done so much for me. I've had horrible "mood swings" for years and they just kept getting worse. I would also cry myself to sleep every night for years and years. I always felt irritated and annoyed with everything. I would yell and scream, get hyper and crash into a pile on the floor, be suicidal one minute and happy the next. I was all over the place. This medicine has done so much for me."

• samnm
• November 17, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I feel the Abilify working on my depression. I am singing and happier then I have been in a while. I was taking Invega before and that did not help me at all. I am diagnosed with Bipolar 1. This medicine has lessened my mania but has not vanished it completely. I do not see any side effects with this medicine!"

• sprin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 1, 2015

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Best med. I have ever had for my bipolar. I was on many drugs but they made me a zombie. I couldn't wake up. It's tough when you have to work everyday. My Dr. put me on abilify and I'm a new person! Very Happy with the results. I have a life again!"

• Valky...
• October 15, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Have been on Abilify for two weeks and my personality has changed drastically. I went from being chilled out and quite okay on Seroquel and Effexor but wanted to try Abilify to combat weight gain. In the two weeks I've been on it I've swung from hypomanic to aggressive and downright selfish. I did things I wouldn't normally do that has hurt my relationship with my partner and I've also been spending like crazy. Probably should stop but will consult psychiatrist first to see what she says."

• Dizzy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 30, 2018

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I’ve tried every mood stabilizer, typical psychotic and atypical antipsychotic for my Aspergers and Bipolar depression, and Abilify always helps the most. I feel happy on it and it helps me with dysphoric mania consistently. It does cause weight gain, but I have been able to lose weight on it by cutting calories to 1500 a day and walking regularly. Plus, it has a generic version now, so it’s cheap!"

• myste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2013

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I would hide at home for months, shaking when a telephone rang. I couldn't let people go and had obsessive thoughts. Abilify gave me calm, confidence and hope. It made me less sensitive to light and time, I was no longer at the mercy of each passing moment. I woke up relaxed, went to bed without a noise in my head, inner voices stopped criticizing me, thoughts didn't race. I was creative but focused, and began wonderful new projects. Had NO side effects- NO weight gain. 'Worked magic that first day. But after a month it seemed to do nothing but make me sad. Evidently that was a manic phase. It blocks my mania, but not my depressive switch. Feels like I've traded manic depression for unipolar depression. I am being switched to lithium."

• meloosh
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 13, 2016

Abilify (aripiprazole) "It's only been two weeks but Abilify 2mg, added to Wellbutrin 150mg, has been amazing. I was misdiagnosed for many years and it's sad to realize how much time was lost to my illness that wasn't being properly controlled. I'd only taken ADs until now. I experienced dramatic improvement within DAYS and continued relief from symptoms which often left me homebound and sobbing with no interest or ability to work or socialize, even perform minor chores and the anxiety became crippling. Side effects include some vision issues and a spell of overwhelming fatigue a few hours after taking the med. Once that dissipates, I feel a lot of energy and am able to function very well. Fingers crossed for continued success. Much luck to all. There is hope."

• Josh
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 27, 2017

Abilify (aripiprazole) "This drug has been a lifesaver to me. It's helped provide me with mood stability with an antidepressant effect, whereas lithium only controlled the mania part of my mood. I use this in combination with other drugs and so far there hasn't been any side effects. I tried decreasing the dosage, and within 2 days I noticed a difference in my mood. I would definitely recommend this drug. This has made a difference in my mood, the way I think, and my overall perspective. This improved my motivation to get work done, since I wouldn't be just sitting around reminiscing in a negative thought loop. It gives me mental freedom and allows me to escape brain fog that has imprisoned my thoughts. Seriously, don't be afraid to try this drug"

• Coco
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2019

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I've been on Abilify 5mg for 3 weeks now (taking for bipolar). I'm naturally a restless person so I like the feeling of having to do something all the time, It makes me feel like I'm contributing. Sleeping about 5-6 hours a night. Weight gain of about 2lbs. I feel better and a little more connected to my husband and kids as compared to when I was on Quetiapine."

• Golf...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 23, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "Started on Abilify in addition to Effexor and Lamictal. Immediately had tremors in hands, lips and speech. Gained weight and was anxious. Stopped taking when I ran out; tremors stopped, lost weight and no noticeable negative consequences. Don't know why it was prescribed but it caused more problems than it helped. Side effects were terrible."

• David...
• August 14, 2014

Abilify (aripiprazole) "I've been taking Abilify for eight months now. Although it made me gain 15-20kg (something like 33-40 lbs I believe?), my experience is quite positive. The sadness from my major depressive episode, as well as my suicidal thoughts, have been almost annihilated. The reason why I rated it as a six is because it didn't help ease the great fatigue I have. But it helped a lot, that is for sure."