I couldn't concentrate or think well when I was on 20mg of Abilify. The initial intention was to taper off Abilify and then try a new medication to see if I can function better on a similar dosage. While tapering off the Abilify, I noticed how much clearer my mind began to feel, and I also experienced less drowsiness. I felt more mental energy, and felt less tiresome physically. I felt more motivated to take action and to do something I find interesting. While on the 20 mg of Abilify, I was sleeping about 16-20 hours a day on some days, and sleeping the normal hours rarely. I believe I feel better off medications and can function better, but my doctor opposes my desire to be free of medications because he is worried my schizophrenic symptoms could worsen. The medications never appeared to help relieve the hallucinations, however, they sedated my anger and intense emotions caused by the hallucinations. I intend to stay on 10 mg of Abilify. My doctor never truly knew my experience. I go through changing times that make medication appropriate in certain circumstances. When I am angry from hearing voices bother me, the medications sedate that anger and hide my true feelings. It doesn't relieve me of anger. I can tell inside I feel intense quiet anger for having to be sedated and made dysfunctional. My doctor sent me to the hospital the last time I didn't take my medications. I was going through a hard time because I didn't understand my hallucinations and acted out because I was so angry. Over time, I understood my anger more and knew how to control it. The medications never helped me with much. Sometimes it was appropriate for me to be sedated because I was so angry, however, it's inappropriate for me to be medicated for extensive periods at a time. The medications never relieved the hallucinations. They come and go when they want. Medications would make my experience of the hallucinations worse at times because I had so little energy to extend myself outwards to take part in activity that it made me constantly inside myself listening to the voices attack me verbally. I had to accept my doctor's orders to stay on medications because I looked more "healthy" on them, but really, I was just sedated and quiet because I didn't have the energy to feel anything but fatigue, boredom, and quiet anger.