abilify in bipolar disorder

It works better than Geodon did for me but I take it for a psychotic disorder rather than a mood disorder but bipolar disorder can have psychotic symptoms and every medicine works differently for each person.

t know what they specifically treat in bipolar disorder, but if it works similar to antipsychotics in the disorder, it would probably be better to switch to an anticonvulsant rather than continue taking an antipsychotic, provided it works for you. Prolonged usage of antipsychotics can have permanent side effects, but not always.

I was wondering how Abilify added to an anti-depressant affects a bipolar II? Will it cause Mania?

First I would like to know who perscribed Ativan to you for depression. And why they have kept you on if for "years." Ativan is NOT an antidepressant and has no affinity for that disorder. It's a short acting benzodiazipine. (Antianxiety) The main uses for Ativan are anxiety, irritability in psychiatric or organic disorders, preoperatively, insomnia, and as an adjunct in endoscopic procedures.

I suppose the real question i had was what is the difference,in general, between bipolar disorder w/ psychotic features and schizoaffective disorder?

My brother still takes it to this day. Abilify made it hard for me to control my weight and motivation. I was thought to have bipolar disorder however since I have been away from my adoptive mom I have had no symptoms of mental illness. I think the first couple of weeks you are on it you are great. However, after that first month you’re less in a state of control. At that point I seem to see that true benefit of the drug is in effect. Abilify is less helpful after the first month.

can an 11yr old have bipolar? My son has been diagnosed with ADHD, mood disorder, and possible Asperger's Syndrome. Lately we are trying to decrease Abilify and titrate Carbotral. So far he is extremely(manic), aggressive and violent in the afternoons. my question i guess is, do mood stabilizers wear off at some point in the day?

Hello! I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder by a primary doctor in a mental health facility. I am currently taking 5mg of Abilify and 30mg of Remeron. Today I am going to see a NP to possibly change my medicine or add something in for anxiety. I will keep this thread updated on what happens. I'm nervous about if the NP is going to change my medication or not. Not to mention that my IBS is acting up, too. I just thought I would introduce myself formally.

and could be a combination of BiPolar 2, Adult ADD and even...Borderline Personality Disorder (god I hate that name). Anyhow, one of the main symptoms we all agreed upon was the mood swings. I tend toward being on the hypo side of the scale and dont get depressed terribly often, but when I do it is very painful and scary. Will Abilify help with the irritable mood swings? I have 6 kids and some days (even just some hours in a day) I get so upset over something so small and seem to snap...

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.

I take Zoloft and Abilify for bipolar disorder. My sugar levels were heightened due to Abilify, but I am now taking Metfforman to level out my sugar level because Abilify has the ability to heighten sugar levels. I am not a diabetic. Does cholesterol have anything to do with this cramping?

Does anyone know if it is OK to drink coffee / take in caffeine while on Abilify? I am on Abilify 5 mg, and I have not had any problems other than drowsiness. It has cleared my anxiety, though my doctor says she does not see the major/normal factors of bipolar disorder, and she believes that something else underlying caused my depression period. I am wondering if anyone else has taken a cup of coffee or two to nullify the effects of drowsiness?

One of the good ones is "Why Am I Still Depressed? Recognizing and Managing the Ups and Downs of Bipolar II and Soft Bipolar Disorder" by James R. Phelps. Amazon.com has it on sale now for $12.

ve just found out I am pregnant and I have been taking Abilify (Aripirazole) and Lamictal (Lamotrigine) for the last year, against bipolar disorder, my doctor recommended to reduce it slowly and then stop it. He said that I have taken it so far wouldn't harm the baby. I am still very worried and wondered if anybody has any experience with this. Thank you!

I have bipolar disorder as well and am on abilify. I take it with remeron at night. It works great and has few side effects! However, Lexapro is dangerous for people who have bi polar disorder. It can have the tendancy to make you manic. While I was on Lexapro, I was wired and agitated all the time. So try a different anti depressant. Remeron is great esp for sleep. But, I've also heard Wellbutrin is great...and doesn't make you gain weight...so give that a try. Good luck to you.

The only way to be diagnosed is to see a psychiatrist and be assessed. There are many drugs used to treat bipolar disorder. Some are Seroquel, Abilify, Lithium, and Risperdal, though there are many more. Depression is just being down and sometimes having a normal time between periods of depression. Bipolar disorder has depressive episodes but also hypomanic or manic episodes. I would suggest going to NAMI.org for more information.

I have always suffered from major depression and a mood disorder even though they don't come out and say it's bipolar, they treat is as such and it's helped. I've been on Abilify for a year now and I was doing so well but now I'm tired all the time, have no motivation, and feel overall blah! I see my pdoc next week and I wonder if I need a new mood stabelizer or a higher dose of Abilify.

well i recently went to a hospital where i got sent to a psychiatric ward where i stayed for 10days The reason why i got sent their was bc of my cutting addiction and my anxiety attacks. the psychiatric their put me on abilify stating that he felt that i had a mood disorder and he was putting me on it because it has a mood stabilizing element to it. now i think that i made him diagnose me like that on purpose bc ive been reading all about bi polar disorder but i might not be really bi polar...

I was diagnosed about a month ago with PTSD and a mood disorder but I'm still wondering if that mood disorder is bipolar. Specifically bp2. I've been put on Abilify 2mg. Before diagnosis and medication this is how my life has been: extreme hypersexuality, which resulted in promiscuity outside of my marriage and now divorce. I was also having lots of mood swings and got mad over stupid little things or cried uncontrollably. Sometimes very hostile and would throw things.

You said your doctor had concerns about possible bipolar disorder? Did he actually diagnose you with that, and is his treatment based on that diagnosis? If so, you REALLY need to seek out a second opinion to make sure your diagnoses are accurate. Being treated for bipolar versus an anxiety disorder and depression are two VERY different things. You don't want to be treated for bipolar if indeed you don't have it.

Since thyroid problems can cause symptoms that mimic aspects of bipolar disorder, thyroid testing is performed before diagnosing bipolar disorder.

I'm currently on Abilify and I'm kind of freaking out about the movement disorder risk. I'm thinking about trying a MS instead. Is it more common to start with a MS first, or are AAP's in common usage as a first line treatment?

ok so i have bipolar 1 disorder and i stopped taking abilify on my own because of my weight gain and my doctor said i have to take sumthing so he put me on geodon...i took it last nite and i woke up this morning light headed the i took the pill i was surpose to this morning and it made me feel worst like i was about to faint so i went to sleep and i slept for 6 hours and 30 minutes and im still sleepy so i mite have to go back to abilify...

The second doctor actually started a broad spectrum treatment. Mood disorder includes depression, mania, bipolar, and substance abuse. Abilify is indicated for depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia and could have worked if you had taken it for some time. Please discuss in detail with each of your doctor. You need to make a change in the treatment because SSRI including celexa are not working. Take care!

Abilify in bipolar disorder

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