Aripiprazole for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder User Reviews

• rac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 6, 2019

"My psychiatrist started me on 2.5 mg to supplement my SSRI. Within about a day or two, I started experiencing a period of what was probably hypomania; many told me I looked happy. I almost completely stopped picking at my scalp and hair. (About an 85% reduction.) My PTSD had been a nightmare. When at the gym, men would often walk behind me on the elliptical and would often look at my rear, and I'd feel triggered and panicked. On Abilify, I was aware but no longer triggered by threats to my space such as this. I also felt fewer powerful urges to self-harm, which were rather distressing before starting this drug. Long-term: I'm less severely depressed! I also noticed that I stopped having fights with my S.O., probably because I felt less threatened by micro-events. The only downside - I've put on about 10 lb. However, my doc put me on Metformin as a way to counteract some of the metabolic effects."

• FLS...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2018

"I don’t know how to explain how incredible I feel since being on 2 mgs for only 5 or 6 days. I was under extreme stress for years and became totally frozen with fear, anxiety, major depression, and was spinning out of control. I worked with my psychiatrist, gave her my exact symptoms. She was just so understanding, as I am not a huge proponent of psychopharmacology, nor have I ever taken something so strong. I'm using less pain medication, I’m running again, I’m waking up and able to get out of bed, which I haven’t been in so long. I’m losing weight, which feels miraculous. I feel miraculous! This drug is giving me my life back!"

• 101...
• February 10, 2023

"This is a miracle for me. My PTSD would not stop. I have complex PTSD and bipolar from it. A lifetime of trauma and pain. This drug gave me stability, peace, and the ability to be happy if I choose it. I do not expect prescriptions to do anything except give me a level playing field for me to decide and work for my emotional health. This drug with Pristiq has done that, finally."

• The...
• June 23, 2017

"My 14-year-old daughter and I were hit head-on by a drunk driver on Christmas Eve of 2015. We both spent weeks in the hospital, and she sadly passed six months later. I subsequently went into a downward spiral and tested positive for PTSD. 1 mg of Abilify per day has seemingly been transformative. Within a week, my symptoms were cut in half. They were reduced further after another week. I am now on week three and doing even better. My only reservation is that I don't sleep as well and have had a few insomniac nights. I'm going to start taking it in the morning and see if that helps."

• Bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2019

"I felt great for about 3 weeks. Now, I've gained about 10 pounds in 2 months and am as depressed as one might be if their loved ones died. I don't know what this is doing to my brain, but I have never felt depression like this before. I'm so tired I can hardly move. I'm weak. I'm basically useless because of the side effects."

• Gan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2021

"This drug has given me myself and my life back pre-PTSD, and I am so thankful that my psychiatrist put me on this. I am currently taking 100 mg of Zoloft in conjunction with 5 mg of the Abilify, and it is truly a miracle cocktail. I no longer have intrusive and disturbing thoughts, emotional flashbacks, and my PTSD stuck points are less sticky, and I am able to fully participate in my life each day. I hope this drug is as helpful for others as it has been for me."

• jk1...
• August 27, 2010

Aripiprazole "While this medicine helped and really did snuff out the symptoms associated with my trauma disorder, it also had so many side effects. Taking it would put me into a sleepy sort of fog and felt very out of it. We then tried Minipress and have had much more success with that. I now use Abilify as an emergency medicine. It acts as a great last resort to stop all of the overly emotional symptoms associated with an attack/flashback and helps put you back in a better place, even if it gets a bit foggy. I haven't used it for a couple of weeks now, but I haven't also worked on the trauma issues for a while as well. I'd give it a 10 for rare emergency use and a 5 for day-to-day use due to its side effects, thus the 7."

• jk1...
• July 23, 2010

"Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder was the most awful thing that I've ever experienced, bringing me back to terror unlike anything I've felt for over 15 years. My love for my kids saved my life. I already have depression, fibromyalgia, SAD, many anxiety types, and likely narcolepsy, currently taking 8 medicines that did nothing for the trauma. Only 2 mg of Abilify stopped all of the symptoms, but made me very tired, falling asleep at 8 PM (narcolepsy). Other than that, I regard this medication as being extremely effective. I had bad side effects (even more sleepy), but it took 7 days to lessen (now less sleepy than before), unlike the 2 days typical of these medicines."

• Kds...
• March 2, 2020

"I was on Abilify, and after a rough few weeks, I was great. Unfortunately, due to my insurance, I had to switch to aripiprazole, and that was horrible. I had anxiety, paranoia, and night terrors. I feared losing my job because of the side effects I was experiencing. After reading these reviews, along with others, I know this does not happen to everyone. Although I do believe more people should be made aware if this medication created these side effects. I felt worse than I had in a long time."

• Yah...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 20, 2024

"Makes me calm but also makes me numb. It's made me forget why I'm scared of my past bad memories. It has minimal effects like increased saliva production. Besides that, it deletes my flashbacks forcefully."

• Chr...
• December 2, 2016

"I've been clean for almost 4 years. First time in my life. I got off all these medications because I was so messed up. I had a combination of the diagnoses listed and PTSD. When I detoxed, I was blessed to be in a facility that took me off all of the meds I was taking for all my diagnoses. Replaced it all with exercise, NA meetings, working with my sponsor, my therapist, and talking to my HP every day. The first year, I was so out of it, but I eventually felt so much better. This medication caused me to become manic, have anxiety attacks, my upper abdomen became distended, I became incontinent, and couldn't go poo to save my life. Basically, I went back to Oaklawn and was honest with the psychiatrist I have now, and I told her how hard I was working to not have to go back to having to put this crap in me."

• phi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2025

"I was started on 15 mg of aripiprazole for PTSD (severe loss of concentration and flashbacks all day and nightmares, anxiety, cold sweats). It made me sleep on and off for 2 days, which did wonders for me. I quit 'losing' my keys, phone, wallet, etc., all day long. The symptoms are mitigated now, after three weeks, to a bearable level. I feel much more clear-headed. Before this medicine, I was a terrible mess because other drugs didn't work. I'm substantially better right now."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2025

"I was wrongly diagnosed at an early age and was put on every medication you could think of for bipolar/clinical depression. After 30 years of that, my doctor finally put me on 5 mg of Abilify. I have only been taking that, and after 2 weeks, I started to feel 'normal.' This is the best I have ever, ever felt. My therapist has suggested that my doctor raise my 5 mg to 15 mg to truly feel the real effects. Now I have noticed one side effect, which is anger, come on. It was quick and explosive, but in 15-20 minutes, I was back to being me. So I will be talking to the doctor."

• pts...
• February 7, 2012

Aripiprazole "Had similar antipsychotic effects of Seroquel, and yet had far less sedative and flattening effects on the psyche. A great alternative to other medications with similar applications."

• Kia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 28, 2016

"I started taking Abilify 3 days ago to go along with Paxil and Vistaril, and I feel great. The recurring negative thoughts are more under control, and sad feelings are gone. I am so thankful."

• MGS...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2022

"Not tired! I even have to take it in the morning because it keeps me up at night. Weight gain, yes, but losing it."

• ban...
• April 20, 2011

Aripiprazole "So far, I would recommend taking this at night. Instead of having insomnia, it made me very sleepy."

• Mic...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 9, 2024

"Helped me overcome so much and thrive as a sufferer of PTSD."

• Sta...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 16, 2020

"I did not find this medication to be helpful at all with PTSD symptoms. I also caused me to start developing the side effect of tardive dyskinesia symptoms."