Abilify for bipolar depression
Common Questions and Answers about Abilify for bipolar depression
abilify
Abilify is actually an antipsychotic drug that has anti-depressant properties. Usually Abilify is used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and as an adjunct therapy (add on therapy) for major depression. The treatment prescribed depends on your psychiatrist’s assessment of your case. However, the dose prescribed is the lowest for the drug.
Treatment for depression usually begins with a low dose of SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Some doctors prescribe benzodiazepines too.
Abilify is an anti-psychotic med commonly used to treat psychotic illnesses such as bipolar disorder, schitzophrenia, etc. It is sometimes used as an adjunct treatment (in addition to another antidepressant) to treat clinical depression, alrthough I've honestly never heard of it being Rx'ed alone for depression. That doesn't mean it isn't done or that it won't help, I'm just telling you the common uses.
//www.medhelp.org/tags/health_page/167/Depression/Useful-Bipolar--Depression-Webisites?
After years of continued difficulty with bouts of depression, anger/irritability, sleep, I saw a new doctor in 2015 who prescribed Abilify 5mg along with Adderall. He mentioned that he thought I continued to have issues because of the Prozac but did not officially give me a diagnosis. I immediately saw the benefits. However, at the end of 2016 I went through a severe bout of depression and discontinued the Abilify.
The target dose for Abilify varies considerably depending on what is being treated. For bipolar 1 (if you have ever had a manic episode) and schizophrenia it is probably 15 - 25 mg. For bipolar 2 and augmentation of an antidepressant for someone with non-bipolar depression it is probably 2 to 10 mg.
Also, how long to wait to see the effect depends on what is being treated, for psychosis or mania I would expect results in no more than a week at any given dose.
Actually Ativan is more for anxiety and Abilify is more for depression but it can also help with anxiety. This is common practice, trust in your doctor. Best wishes.
ll find a ton of info, Try some of the other forums too because they use Abilify for depression as well as bipolar. You might get more answers if you put your question in a couple other forums. I wouldn't worry about my water retention, Abilify is not supposed to cause it so the doc is not 100% certain the water is from the Abilify. The older mood stabelizers almost always have weight gain as a side effect, however, not everyone gains weight on the drugs.
I've been on abilify and lexapro for bipolar depression and I have random twitches all over my body. Plus it's not helping with the depression. The mood swings have gotten better but even Getting out of bed is hard. Like a heavy weight dragging me down. Any suggestions on what to do?
Hi,My questtion is ,is anyone on just abilify for depression?
Abilify is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression). It is also used together with other medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.
Abilify does not really have major side effects that are any different than many of the psychotroic medications on the market today.
when i hear that someone at this age is having BP I get depressed myself because I don't believe it. SURE pdocs dx him and we should respect their view as they are supposed to be the only expertise. But at this age the body keeps changing hormonal wise and the brain is still in its infancy. The reason why he prescribed lamictal and abilify is that both help in depression. But i would consult another pdoc. Why didn't you try psychotherapy first CBT, etc..
Ever since I was diagnosed with Bipolar I, I have struggled with depression. Mine almost always stays in the depressive cycle. I haven't had mania in awhile, but the depression just lingers on and on. I currently take Lamictal 400 mg, Risperdal 1 mg, daily. He tried me on Abilify and that was a nightmare - made me feel "crazy". Also have tried Geodon - not good on that one either.
I miss being happy - even if it was induced by mania.
For bipolar type 2 a typical dose would be 2.5 to 5 mg, for bipolar type 1 a typical dose would be 15 to 25 mg a day.
The data on Abilify's effectiveness generally find it to be somewhat less effective than other atypicals, at least in the acute phase of treatment. However, some people do amazingly well on it.
It doesn't cause as much weight loss as Geodon... it is pretty close to weight neutral...
I am really into natural health but my depression and bi polar started causing alot of problems in my personal life so I started seeing a phyc doctor and he has put me on Wellbutrin and Abilify. It has helped my mood swings and my depression but somtimes I feel muscle stiffness and fatigue, I told my phyc. doctor and he perscribed somthing called benztropine and trazadone hcl for sleep.. so now I have these extra pills for the side effects of the original pills!
I love Abilify!!!! It saved my life!! It has been approved for bipolar mania as well as severe depression. I don't take an antidepressant because I don't need it. All anti-psychotic drugs must carry the same warnings about raising blood sugar levels. I have read study after study and Abilify is not known to cause that. It is also not associated with weight gain.
I don't take a high dose, only 2 mg. but everyone around me has seen the change.
Lareina, I did say that medications are different for everyone. you may have read my post out of context somewhere. I want to give you a chance to explain why you're so upset. and if there's anything we can do for you. However, I want you to understand that we are trying to be supportive here. But I hope you're aware you are on the bipolar forum. The people who come here have bipolar disorder or a friend or family member that has bipolar disorder and they're looking for help.
Aripiprazole is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression). It is also used together with other medications to treat major depressive disorder in adults.
You mentioned that it cleaared your anxiety, but you didn't say anything to your doctor about anxiety.
Anxiety can be a completely different issue and may require a different course of action.
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