Abilify?

I just started taking Abilify 2 MG. It is supposed to go along with my Lexapro 20 MG.
If anyone has taken Abilify could you share your experiences? Did it help you?
I think it might be making me irritable.

Hello! I was on Abilify in addition to my antidepressant from 2002 (approximately) to 2011. it was a lifesaver for me. The other antipsychotic drugs took away my personality and caused me many problems, but with Abilify I was able to remain more stable without having a flat face. I recently got off of it because I didn't feel I needed it anymore. I've been off for 7 months or so. When I got off of it, I realized I was smarter, so I guess in retrospect that the Abilify dulled my cognition. Also when I got off of it, I lost about 10 pounds in water weight. But for a long time it was well worth it, and my lifesaver. I started at 20 mg and ended with 30 mg; then weaned myself off very slowly throughout 2011. In my opinion, it is not perfect, but if one really needs a stabilizer or add-on it is the best one currently available. I have heard negative stories, but it was great for me. Good luck!

My experience on Abilify was very similar to shipping's. It was added to my Celexa five years ago when I was in a deep depression that I wasn't coming out of. I remained on it for six months and then weaned off both of them when things improved. I didn't realize it until I was off it that I was somewhat blunted cognitively. But it did help at the time. Hope things get better for you!

Thanks a lot for sharing guys!
It seems like you guys and others I've asked have been on a far higher dose than me. I'm only taking 2 MG, and my psych said she wouldn't raise it any higher than 5 MG in my case.
Did either of you feel irritable at first or at all on it?

Can't say that was the case for me, ThroughBeingCool. I think I was too depressed to feel anything other than low, low, low! But everyone reacts differently to meds. Are you seeing your pdoc soon or can you give him/her a call this week to check it out?

I am on a low dose of abilify, I started at 2 and am now at 7.5. At first my irritability seemed hightened. I would just snap and ten seconds later be fine. My doc added celexa to the mix and my irritability is gone. I will agree with the others, cognitive issues and mild weight gain/water retention... but helps my depression like no other!

I have had a very good experience with ability. I started out on 5 mg then was gradually upped to 15 mg. Taking it in conjunction with my antidepressant has been a miracle worker. It gives me the extra boost I need and I did have some side affects at first but they were shirt lived. I can actually function much better vs not talking it. Hang in there with it if your regular meds aren't giving you enough boost. My pdoc says that's the purpose of ability, to act as an enhancer. Good luck. If your still struggling with the med, by all means consult your pdoc!

It was added to my antidepressant last month; I started with 2.5mg then went up to 5mg but the exhaustion I experienced was worse than the depression (and worse than when I had glandular fever...). I am really super-sensitive to many meds, and even though it was such a low dose I couldn't cope. I only lasted 3 weeks on it. I guess it depends on how severe and how long the side effects may last for vs the benefits of it.

It made me nuts!!! I was worse, and my thoughts were worse. No likey.

I've been on a low dose of Abilify two times for my BPD symptoms. It works great for me. Helps with depression but mostly helps my anger, irrational thoughts & suicidal thoughts.

It did make me gain weight though. 10lbs.

It made me very hyper in the beginning but that side effect went away after a cpl months.