Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder User Reviews

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 12, 2021

"I just got prescribed Abilify yesterday as a booster to my current antidepressant. I'm currently taking 300mg of Wellbutrin daily, and I just don't notice any difference in my life. I feel numb, I feel foggy all of the time. I feel very disconnected from life in general. I'm really praying that this helps. I know that no pill is a miracle worker, but damn it I need anything at this point that's positive. So I'm going to make another review a month from now, or if there are any positive results sooner than that, then I'll write a review before, but I'm going to give it a month to see if anything changes mentally. So if you're reading this, keep me in your thoughts, please. Definitely need prayers."

• Phr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 6, 2020

"I have very ruminative, treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (MDD) for which I've been hospitalized twice despite medication therapy and counseling. I have trialed at least twelve different antidepressants over the last twenty years, with modest results at best. During my second hospitalization, the attending psychiatrist presented a choice: lithium or aripiprazole (or neither, that was technically a choice, too). I asked him what he thought and his recommendation was aripiprazole, so we went with that. We started at 2.5 mg, then quickly moved to 5 mg. Within days, I was no longer having mood crashes, my ruminations had diminished, and my mood had started to recover. I've stayed out of the hospital ever since. I currently take 10 mg daily and experience no side effects. I still have my ups and downs (as is life) but my 'down' phases are shorter and much less severe. This med has been a lifesaver for me."

• Ean...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2020

"Have never ever left a review on anything before, but this drug Abilify has helped me so much so far. I was out of work, struggling to meet my basic functions necessary to live. I am now feeling like I can actually do things. I also suffer from anxiety, and this has helped me so much with social anxiety and physical symptoms from anxiety. I have been looking for a drug that will work for the past 5 years as I am treatment-resistant. Give this a try, people, please!"

• Mat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2024

"The best, simplest thing I can say about Abilify is this: two weeks into taking it, I suddenly wanted again. It was a feeling I didn’t know I missed, but I wanted to do things again. I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt genuine motivation like that. I have both persistent depression and am in a major depressive episode. I have high levels of apathy and low levels of energy. For the first time in a very long time, I don’t feel like I have to fight my body to do anything. I feel good. It’s enough to make me cry — and not because I’m bursting into depression tears. The speed at which it has had an effect is also a relief. I feel better, and it’s been almost immediate. I haven’t been on it long. No side effects so far. On a low dose (2mg); psychiatrist intends to increase it soon. If experience changes significantly on increase, I will leave another review."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 1, 2020

"I’ve had major depressive disorder for years. The past 3 years I’ve had weeks where I wouldn’t move out of bed except to go to the bathroom, get a bottle of water, and that’s it. I was wasting away. My doctor said I was malnourished. I didn’t care about anything, anyone, or myself. I’ve started seeing a psychiatrist and therapist for almost 2 years but had yet to find the right meds. Then, about 3 months ago, my psychiatrist put me on Abilify. I went from 5mg to 7.5 to now 10mg. I take it along with Remeron and Lamictal. I feel better than I have in years. So far, no side effects. This is like the sun I’ve been searching for for many years. Happy tears. Honestly, it saved my marriage."

• Con...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 4, 2019

"I finally got in to see a bona fide psychiatrist after seeing a LCSW for 4 yrs trying to find an antidepressant that would get me out of my vegetative state. He suggested Abilify. After 8 days on 5 mg, I almost feel like living. I am doing things/projects I've put off forever. I am on 45 mg Remeron and 5 mg Abilify. And I am starting to feel great and hope it continues. I had lost hope, but I knew there must be something that would give me some motivation because I had none at all. I am 76 and have been depressed for the past 20. I think it's time to enjoy life again!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2024

"I cannot believe it. For the first time in my entire life, I am not tormented and overwhelmed by my own thoughts. I have never been able to think so clearly. I checked into PHP because I was constantly running, avoiding, quitting jobs, overspending, etc., and I was in trouble. Now, after a week of only 2 mg of this drug, I feel like I can conquer the world again."

• CGo...
• April 17, 2020

"Abilify helped me go from hardly being able to get off the couch for months to cleaning the house. Things feel 'possible', and you see something and think 'I'll take care of that now.' I'd say it doesn't make your mental state better so much as it fixes the body depression. I take Abilify for MDD with Wellbutrin, and they're a great combo for me. The Wellbutrin is great for my mood, and Abilify allows me to get off the couch. I was worried when I started taking Abilify because I didn't feel anything at all until day 9 or 10, so give it some time to start working. I haven't experienced any side effects, and have actually lost weight because of how much more I'm moving around. I'm on 4mg (two 2mg pills). One weird thing about the pills is that they're TINY, like 1/4 the size of a tic tac, no joke."

• joa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2025

"I was pretty doubtful about taking Abilify. In 5 days, it's gotten me out of bed. I prayed for something to work. I'm feeling again. I take this with Pristiq, another life-saving drug, but I maxed out. No side effects so far, and I ALWAYS get side effects. I hope it stays like this for a while. If you came here, give it a try if your doc's okay with it."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 22, 2020

"I have been on Abilify (2.5 mg daily) for 3 weeks now for MDD. I also take Effexor XR and have for several months now. After one week on the Abilify, I began to have a dramatic change in my motivation. I keep myself busy now, whereas before I struggled to do simple tasks. I do struggle with sleeping now. I used to be able to go to sleep anytime I wanted to with no trouble. Now I cannot sleep. I wake up by midnight and spend the rest of the night doing things like painting or online shopping! I cannot sleep. I hope this side effect is temporary. I started taking 3 mg of melatonin before bed, but that only helps a little bit. The other side effect during the night is night sweats. It is only after I fall asleep that the sweating occurs. When I wake up, I am soaked in my sweat, not too different than when a fever breaks. As much as I want my ability to sleep back, I will continue to take the Abilify because it is changing my life for the better. I no longer sleep all day or lack motivation."

• Rae...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2024

"My 21-year-old son was put on Abilify 2 mg for major depressive disorder approximately 2 months ago. We noticed a difference within 3 days. He had been on sertraline 100 mg for many years, and it didn't seem to be doing much. But the combination of sertraline and Abilify made a total difference. Definitely happier, more leveled-out days. We did notice that the depression seemed not to be totally controlled with the 2 mg. We just raised it to 5 mg, and the difference has been amazing. It's only been 2 days, and I can only imagine how much better things will be when it goes into full effect. Please don't listen to bad reviews and give it a try. Everyone is different, and experiences will be different. As a family, this disorder has been extremely difficult, but brighter days are on the way!"

• Har...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 31, 2020

"I was on Abilify for 2 weeks and developed Tardive Dyskinesia quickly. It started with hip thrusting and then mouth smacking, eyes blinking. I couldn’t handle it. I was on a fairly low dose once a day. I also take a small dose of Reglan daily for gastroparesis and I went off of that and quit eating (can’t eat without it) to see if the TD would stop, and it didn’t. So, I am quitting the Abilify. I did have one positive experience, though, with Abilify, and that’s that it brought me out of my extreme depression to where I was able to get up and shower and do normal things again. My depression had gotten so bad that I couldn’t even shower. So, would I recommend this drug? Give it a try, but make sure if you show any signs of TD to talk to your doctor ASAP!"

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 2, 2020

"I've been on Abilify for about a month alongside my Pristiq. Within a week, my anger started to lessen, and I was able to start to function again, even wanting to socialize and shower again. I am still showing improvements as the weeks progress. I do, however, get manageable restless legs on 10 mg. It's much more manageable than my anger was, and if I'm moving or engaged with something, I don't notice it. Prazosin at night counteracts the restless legs, which I was on prior to Abilify for PTSD nightmares. Life changer for me."

• NCM...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 3, 2021

"I was suicidal from the age of 10 till the age of 45 years of age. I had a deep, constant desire to die, and nothing was helping them. I also suffered from major depression, borderline personality disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and binge eating. My doctor was at a loss of what to try. Finally, after years of suffering, I stopped having suicidal ideation now that I am on Abilify! I am now 47 years old. I am so glad my doctor put me on this drug. It saved my life."

• The...
• August 31, 2016

"After trying over 5 medications (Lithium, Wellbutrin, etc.), I thought nothing would work and got into a really bad depressive episode, not leaving the house for months at a time and thinking of just ending it all. Then finally I heard of Abilify and it saved me. I am now up early, open blinds, smile, do things, laugh, and I'm only on my second week. I am at 10 mg a day and have no side effects, nothing but happiness. This medication saved my life because after years of trying other non-responsive medications, I thought I couldn't live like that anymore. Abilify is all I take, but I heard you can add Zoloft to it for an even better effect on depression and bipolar. I hope everyone finds happiness and the sun shines for you. Peace and love."

• RyR...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 20, 2021

"I was exhausted and depressed with what mimicked chronic fatigue syndrome. I could barely stay awake every day, and getting through the workday was next to impossible. I also counterintuitively had horrible insomnia and took as many non-addictive meds, such as Seroquel, Melatonin, and Hydroxyzine, to get to sleep. Even with these meds, I still could barely get to sleep and stay asleep. I started back on my Abilify at 5 mg two weeks ago, and it’s changed my life. I now naturally wake up every day at 7 (ish) and have cut my sleep meds in half. I don’t take my Hydroxyzine anymore. I sleep throughout the night. I still drink coffee because I like it. But I am drinking 10 times less coffee now. I used to just down coffee in hopes that it would help my chronic fatigue, but it was to no avail. I’m not jittery. I’m not wired. I’m just alert and awake. I’m also less depressed."

• Ros...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 10, 2019

"Abilify has changed my life in the month that I've been taking it. I wake up in the mornings now and actually look forward to the day, rather than waking up dreading the day as I did before starting this medicine. I think I'm also able to let go of things more easily that would tend to ruin my whole day before. I'm not saying my problems have gone away, but I'm able to deal with them so much better. The only drawback to this medicine is I'm eating a lot more. I think I just have to use some self-control."

• Big...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2019

"So far, and I grant you it's only been 3 weeks, but I felt the positive effects of Abilify almost within 2 days added to my Cymbalta, which was NOT working on its own. I had a lot of suicidal idealizations, barely could get off the couch, no energy, no hope, when Abilify was added at 2 mg per day with 120 mg of Cymbalta, and it's, SO FAR, working like a miracle for me! I actually laugh a bit now, I'm in better moods and have not had any depressive states in over 3 weeks, a bit of a record for me over the past 25 years. I do not like to promote drugs, but Abilify or its generic, same thing, is a miracle for me at least. I even started working out a bit as I am also disabled from a broken back and open heart surgery."

• Lov...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 14, 2020

"Abilify was the game changer for me. I've struggled with major depression since childhood and had taken pretty much every other drug out there (for 20+ years) before this was prescribed in a very low dose to augment another med I'd already been taking. I felt normal for the first time in my life. No, it didn't make me ecstatically happy, it made me feel that life was worth living for. Unfortunately, it didn't help with my anxiety, so I eventually switched to another med in order to take only one med, not three. It was expensive, but so worth it. No side effects whatsoever (2 mg dose)."

• Goo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 3, 2022

"After months of circumstantial and seasonal depression, I'm finally asked for some help. I have treatment-resistant depression and don't respond well to most antidepressants. After only one week of trying Abilify (generic/2mg), I am back to myself... good to go! I am absolutely amazed with the difference it made in such a short period of time. No side effects other than a few hot flashes, and those have subsided. I couldn't be happier that my doctor recommended me to try this!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2014

"I was put on 5 mg of Abilify 2 months ago to add to 60 mg of Prozac that had stopped working. I was afraid at first due to all the negative comments about weight gain. This medication is a blessing. I felt alive again after taking it for only 2 weeks. My life is better than ever. There has been no weight gain. This medication does increase your appetite, but if you don't overeat, you will be fine."

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2020

"I haven’t been on Abilify for long, but I already feel a difference. For months, I was on 20 mg of Lexapro, which made me feel even worse and was only on it because I couldn’t find a psychiatrist. It really messed up my overall mood and made it very unstable, which it wasn’t before taking Lexapro. I’m on 2 mg of Abilify, and it is the first time in months, even over a year, that I’ve felt normal and relaxed. There are some side effects I’ve noticed, like hot flashes, akathisia, extreme drowsiness, and hiccups for some reason. But this is the first time in a while I don’t feel completely numb or have my mind racing constantly."

• Ale...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 14, 2022

"I started taking Abilify when I was 16. I live in Italy. I've been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and took Abilify until I was 22, under various forms. I used to take two pills a day and ended up eventually taking it from injection at the hospital because it didn't help me at all. I honestly had a feeling things were only getting worse. I was always extremely tired and sleepy. I had some troubles tolerating heat, even with very low temperatures outside and excessive salivation. I gained 105 lbs during these years and couldn't move much. As soon as I stopped taking Abilify, I got so much better, physically. I contacted a private psychologist and things got better without that therapy."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 8, 2019

"I’m taking Abilify 2 mg for Borderline Personality Disorder. My life had been awful. I was very anxious, and I didn’t like being around people. My moods were up and down on a daily basis, and I went through 5 depressions that lasted about 6 months. I couldn’t maintain relationships because I would feel close one week and distant the next. Abilify has stopped the depressions. I cannot believe it. I get down and stressed just like anyone, but I don’t get those debilitating 6-month depressions anymore. I take it with 300 mg of Wellbutrin and 1.5 mg clonazepam. Thank you, Abilify!!"

• LDa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2021

"I was on Abilify 2 mg 12/18-02/19, along with 20 mg of Lexapro. First 10 days, I felt euphoric, energetic, motivated, excited about life. Well, it came to a screeching halt. I was fidgety, pacing back and forth, would sit and wiggle my feet and legs, was gaining weight, wasn't sleeping, and thought I was going crazy. I continued to take it for another 6 weeks to give it a chance. That was a mistake. It was all I could do to make it through a whole workday. I thought I was going out of my mind. I have been off it for 2 years and still have mild side effects, still fidgety, have restless feet and legs, and don't sleep much. As for depression, I feel I was better off before Abilify than now. I appreciate that it has been a wonderful drug for many, but where there are so many uncertainties about its effects, I would research it thoroughly before taking it. I don't think most doctors, including psychiatrists, have the slightest clue how horrible this drug is for most. I would never recommend it to anyone."