JayCee - thanks for the feedback. I'm not the least scared of the anti-convulsants and I've taken many of them already. I'm really torn because the Abilify really IS helping my mood/anxiety, it's just the darn side effects that are hammering me. The Pristiq is new too (about 2 months) so I've never tried the ACs with Pristiq. I really like my doctor, so I think I'll call him back and see if there's another option I should consider before making the cogentin decision.