[journeyman]

My 26 year old daughter has been on abilify for about 3-4 months and has gained about 50 lbs! Surely this can't be normal. She was never overweight but went from 140 to 185 (she is 5'7") and it directly coincides with the abilify.
She has been on many other meds for years due to ocd and add but none of them affected her this dramitically.
The problem I have is talking to her about this...she gets very defensive and doesn't want to hear it.
I find it so hard to just pretend the weight gain hasn't happened.

[DePressMe]

Wow, I think that is unusual—I am not a doctor but from what I read I thought abilify was not suppose to cause weight gain. I have been taking it for ages and have not gained weight. Matter of fact I think I have lost weight because I am a little more motivated to do things. Have her eating habits or exercise habits changed

[journeyman]

Turns out I was wrong about the numbers not 185 but 175 but the point is she's never ever been this heavy and I can't help commenting about it....which is the real question: how do I let her know she doesn' t look good (she's still wearing most of the same clothes and they don't fit), encourage her to lose weight, yet not make her feel bad about it....not to mention interfering with her meds.
(I just read this back to myself and I admit it reads quite selfish sounding...sorry its difficult to express the right words)

[Direction]

I have heard Abilify has had some metablism issues with some people...I started talking to pdoc about this and he didn't really think it would be an issue...I stayed though with my original med...

I'm not sure what a nice way to handle this...inviter her on a clothing shopping spree? It is hard to say if it abilify or a change in eating habits or both?

[drummergrl]

My grandson takes Abilify too, for Autism. Lexapro for his anxiety. He hasn't gained any weight. But he is only 6. You might want to research this a bit more and see if it reads on the adverse side effects. Those are usually more rare, but in some people the case holds true. Have her thyroid checked also. That may be the culprit. If not? then talk to the dr. and see what he thinks. I know the heavy duty psychitropic drugs add weight to you. Is she on anything else? If her metabalism is affected, or slowed down, then anything she eats will turn to fat. I don't know why, but you don't have energy to get up and move about.

[DePressMe]

Journeyman, I understand your question is more of how to talk with her without making her feel bad or stop taking her meds. Wow, tough question. I am a woman and sensitive about my weight...I am going to have to think about this and write later--if I come up with some ideas. I am thinking maybe buy her an article of clothing that fits right and compliment and encourage her to wear it. Maybe she will want to stop wearing the old clothes if she gets some positive reinforcement...? I know that does not solve the problem of getting her to lose the weight, but maybe it will get her to think about it.