Aripiprazole and Restlessness: What Users Say

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 9, 2020

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "I just started this Abilify at a 5mg dose and am going up to 10 mg today. Side effects were - nausea briefly - restlessness that might keep waking you up at night. Both of these went away. I was told by my psych that I might feel shaky but that should pass. Positives so far are less rumination and constant thinking. Less daydreaming. It doesn’t affect my actual ability to think. I haven’t gone manic on this yet. My temperament seems to be even and my energy level is good. I'll check back in in a month with the 10mg review. Thanks all."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2020

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "I've been struggling with bipolar II my whole life and have been hospitalized twice. This last time they put me on Abilify in addition to my Lamictal and Lexapro, along with Trazodone for sleep. First, the side effects. They were pretty bad in the beginning: super restless, high anxiety, couldn't concentrate on anything unless it involved my hands. I did a lot of adult coloring and rearranged my house a few times. I was treated with Ativan for about 2 weeks, a double dose of Trazodone at night, and self-treated with THC. The side effects are starting to wear off and it's like I can see the world in color! My husband says I'm acting like when we first met and the sparkle is back in my eyes. If you have side effects, work with your doctor. I am so glad I did and stayed on this med. It's been a month and totally life-changing."

• CMH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 22, 2013

Aripiprazole for Depression "I have been taking different depression medicines for over 20 years. I've been taking Celexa for the past 4 years, but even with an increase, I noticed no difference. I didn't realize that depression was causing me to sleep constantly. I could barely function due to my fatigue. I'm a homemaker who could barely get through one little chore a day. After starting 5mg of Abilify, I am a new person! No more naps, rested in the morning, and getting a lot accomplished every day. I am so relieved and feel so much energy! My appetite has increased, so I hope this is a temporary side effect. Sometimes I feel like I can't sit still either, so I may cut back on the dosage. I've got my life back and so hope this medicine can help others that are suffering!"

• Sub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 17, 2020

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "I am a 24-year-old male with Bipolar II. Depression is what I struggle with 98% of the time. I have been taking this med, Abilify, for about a month now, so long enough. I switched to this from Zyprexa, and that switch was rough. My anxiety came back worse than before on this med, and the restlessness was too much for me. I took 5mg, and I would get an hour or two of sleep per day and not be able to sit still during the day. I will say that it cured my depression completely, so for that, I am grateful. As far as my anxiety, sleep, and overall mood, it has not improved. Moving up in dosage caused more restlessness, and moving down to 2.5mg or less made me tired and didn't do much for my mood. This med didn't work for me, but it's not the worst med, give it a shot. I'm switching to Latuda, wish me luck."

• Che...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 15, 2015

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "I am a 28-year-old female diagnosed with Bipolar 1, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic disorder, and Agoraphobia. A little over a week of taking this medication in conjunction with Lamictal and a benzo (Xanax, Klonopin, or Valium depending upon doc's decision) I felt like a million bucks. I could leave the house, I had a normal sleep schedule, I had energy for the first time in a long time. It was a miracle for me. Stopped taking it and downward I went again. Restarting now and I couldn't be more excited. I will say it made me feel restless, and that includes Restless Leg Syndrome types of feelings. But, I would rather be restless and functioning. You have to weigh the pros and cons -- for me it is a PRO!"

• Hol...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 4, 2013

Aripiprazole for Depression "Abilify has been a life saver to me. Initially there were side effects, but I was determined to stick with it and in time, they went away. I've been on a combination of different antidepressants which just didn't seem to be working. It seems that over time, they lose their effectiveness. The depression, anxiety, and panic attacks became so bad that I couldn't get out of bed, sleeping all day and staying awake all night. I had no desire or motivation to do anything. I began to become aware of suicidal thoughts which scared me. My doctor decided to add 2 mg of Abilify to my regimen and it has worked like a miracle. My only concern is that I am still feeling some anxiety, restlessness, and occasional panic which may be from the Abilify."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 5, 2019

Aripiprazole for Depression "I was on Abilify for a short time. I was instructed to take it before bedtime, which I did. The medication would cause me to wake up and feel extremely restless, anxious, and claustrophobic to the point where I’d have to switch which room I was sleeping in due to how uncomfortable I felt. I never even made it past the first week."

• Phi...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 12, 2017

Aripiprazole for Depression "I had very bad depressed thoughts and since taking Abilify, my total blackness in my life has been lifted. I had been suffering from depression and fits of mood swings. This Abilify actually works. I stopped raging at life and to put a literal perspective on this. It's more or less one of the best medications that has been prescribed to me. I used to yell, convulse, and almost had completely collapsed. The only downside is the restlessness and a melodramatic sense of unwanted sleepless nights. All I have to say to everyone is to keep taking what you are prescribed."

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

Aripiprazole for Schizoaffective Disorder "I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 as a child, and later diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder. I had a period in my life where I was into the occult, the Bible, and other occult subjects, and my doctor saw that as being unacceptable. So they put me on Invega, and that made me extremely depressed and was crying most of the day, so I switched to Abilify. The Abilify makes me anxious, restless, body aches, and joint pain, lost my self-worth and purpose. I've been a musician for 13 years, and I just sit here now, unable to motivate myself to do anything. I miss how I felt off of meds, but I'm forced to take them. I don't think antipsychotics are good for depression at all. Every time I get my shot, I almost immediately fall into a deep depression for 2 weeks or so, and then start feeling better the last 2 weeks of the month, then I get my shot and start the cycle all over again. I want to get rid of my meds, and I want to talk to God again."

• CJa...
• March 6, 2021

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "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."

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

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "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!"

• Fem...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I have been on aripiprazole for 2 weeks for BPD, alongside dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) therapy. It has changed my life! My marriage was almost at the point of divorce due to my paranoia, questioning, accusations, and general anger including violence. I have done not a single one of these since the first day I took this drug! I also had a very serious suicide attempt and have not wanted to do nothing like that since. It's a wonder drug, I thank God I found it. The only side effect I have is restlessness, during the day I cannot relax, but at night I sleep perfectly. The restlessness is a bit annoying, but I am being so productive and have done so much more in these last two weeks than I have in a year. My husband is so glad to have the woman he met back by his side!"

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

Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "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."

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

Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "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."

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

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "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."

• NeG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2023

Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "My diagnosis was atypical depression (a type of MDD) and was prescribed Abilify paired with Lamictal. My Abilify dose was a 5mg pill per day. From day one that I took it, I became incredibly irritated. I felt agitated and restless almost immediately. I was so restless, like I was itching from inside my chest and soul, I don't know how to describe it. I couldn't eat, couldn't feel hungry, slept fewer hours, had insomnia, felt stressed, felt anxious, and constantly felt nauseous/stomach pain. The only benefit was that I had intense energy to get up and move, but it didn't feel nice. My motivation for getting up was because of how irritated I got when I lay down or rested. Working out would help but never enough to calm down my restlessness. Overall, I gave it a chance for 1 month (plus a few days of withdrawing it with the assistance of my psychiatrist), and it didn't get any better over time. Horrible experience."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2020

Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "My doctor prescribed me 5 mg of Abilify to add onto a depression medication when I was going through a hard time. Maybe I had personal side effects, but it was a nightmare. I constantly felt restless-my legs would not stop moving, and it was extremely difficult for me to sit at work for long periods of time. I also constantly would wake up with migraines and a dry mouth. While it helped with my depression a little bit, it definitely increased my anxiety and ruined my sex drive. Abilify also caused me to have an insatiable appetite. I was always hungry and never felt full. Within 4 months of taking Abilify, I gained 20 lbs. After going off the medication, 6 months later, my appetite is noticeably different, and I dropped 12 lbs. Since being off the medication, I feel more like myself and that my personality has returned. Honestly, I can't recommend this unless you have no other options."

• Aby...
• March 24, 2020

Aripiprazole for Schizophrenia "Been on aripiprazole for a year and a half now. I cannot sleep, only getting about 3 hours a night, restlessness, and spending money. My lifestyle is completely different from before. It might not seem it, but I was aggressive and hearing voices. Also, the TV would interfere with my actions. Now, taking this medication, I feel somewhat better. Really, I don't get myself into so much trouble, like arguing and shouting, but now I am calm and confident and can laugh again."

• min...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2022

Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "For years, I have struggled with depression (and also autism). I could hardly get out of bed most days, I had no appetite and lost a lot of weight, and was irritable all the time/getting frustrated over the smallest things. Then I went on 2 mg Abilify, and… thank gods, this drug saved my life. I can eat again and have returned to a healthy weight, I am no longer irritated easily, and I’m even writing music again, which I haven’t been able to do in years! I’m happy to say life is regaining its meaning. As for side effects, I have a handful of minor side effects like mild twitching and restlessness, but I would honestly rather deal with that than the depression. 9/10 great drug, would recommend."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 15, 2019

Aripiprazole for Depression "On Abilify, I felt great (on it for depression) for about one month, then began feeling blah. About six weeks in, I felt very restless. I was afraid to have any downtime at work because it made me feel crazy. I don’t feel like myself anymore. Weaning off currently. Only ever took 2.5 at the highest dose."

• Liz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2019

Aripiprazole for Depression "My psychiatrist put me on 1 mg of Abilify about two months ago, hoping it would augment the Paxil (paroxetine) I've been taking for 20+ years, and which is no longer effective. My mood almost immediately improved, but unfortunately, Abilify makes me feel restless, irritable, and fatigued, as well as slightly hypomanic."

• Abi...
• October 24, 2018

Aripiprazole for Bipolar Disorder "This drug made my life miserable, dumbed me down, made me like a zombie. Hardly any thoughts or expression, and then the big one... I couldn’t sit down! The side effect akathisia, which is intense restlessness, sounds like no big deal but it was an everyday, every minute struggle I suffered horribly! I’d walk down the street to pass time, I’d count hours till the day was over. I literally couldn’t sit down, I sat to eat and had to stand back up as soon as I stopped chewing. I smoked cigarettes for 8 years and I tried to quit every Sunday. Turns out that one treatment for akathisia is nicotine. My doc never picked up on it, and I was taking Abilify so long I thought it was just what I had become. When I went off of Abilify, I could live again. In almost every way. Not only can I sit down in peace, but I can think clearly. I didn’t realize how much it was dumbed me down. Don’t take this, just work on yourself, take other meds. This medication is like a mild lobotomy. Not worth it."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 12, 2022

Aripiprazole for Major Depressive Disorder "Abilify was great at first. Anxiety and obsessive and ruminating thoughts slowed down a lot for the first month on 2 mg. Once my dose was increased to 4 mg, everything went downhill. I developed anhedonia and worse anxiety. Even after I dropped my dose for a few months, things didn't get better. I stopped taking Abilify, and just when I thought things couldn't get worse, they did. Within a week of stopping, I developed severe insomnia, anxiety, and an insidious inner restlessness. The anhedonia has also remained 2 months later. I would gladly go back to the depression that Abilify was prescribed to treat in exchange to be done with the lasting negative effects of Abilify. Please do not take this for MDD, and please do not stop taking it suddenly if you are already on it."

• Mic...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 16, 2022

Aripiprazole for Agitated State "I went to the psych ward when I was 18 after going through a rough stretch of suicidal thoughts and depression. I voluntarily went and checked myself in. All I wanted was someone to talk to about what was going on in my life because I was bottling everything up for a few years. I went into the psych ward, and I didn't want to take the medication. So they shot me up with the max dosage of Abilify, 6 months extended release of this, and it messed me up. Some of the side effects were restlessness, I could not sit down for 2 minutes without having to get up and move around. It's been 4 years, and I still deal with this today, although it has gotten better. Extreme weight gain, I gained 80 pounds in 8 months. Impulse control problems, I found myself doing weird stuff I never did before, and I had abnormal thinking. My mind would blank out when I was thinking of something, and this happened all the time. My limbs would move without me trying to move them. I do not advise taking this, but everyone is different."

• Nie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2019

Aripiprazole for Schizoaffective Disorder "Abilify is great. I don't feel flat like Zyprexa and Invega made me feel. Do not gain any weight. I feel energy and motivation to do things. At first, it made me feel a little bit restless, but that seems to fade away. Been using it for over a month now. Hope it stays this way!"