[Lola5]

I have severe anxiety/panic and struggling to find a med that works. I have been taking Abilify for just over a week and have stopped sleeping. I cannot sleep at night because I feel energized. I'll do so many household chores and other tasks and won't go to bed. I feel so pumped up by how much I get done. When I try to sleep, my mind races. I've also noticed I have become more impulsive and am taking more risks. For example, I've done a ton of online shopping over the past few days and it seems like the best idea in the world at the time. So do texting friends in the middle of the night and dyeing my hair (also in the middle of the night). Those all seem like something I must do and such a great idea.

During the day, I feel really depressed and can barely move from one spot to another. I also have the crippling anxiety and panic attacks. Then, night comes and I can do so many things because all I feel is energy.

I've never been diagnosed with bipolar or had symptoms of it. Does Abilify have the ability to cause bipolar in someone who didn't have it before?

Abilify is either neutral or activating for most people, even for those without bipolar. I have never heard of someone say it's sedating.

It was certainly activating for me! I could not sleep when I took it at night. Mind racing, etc etc. Definitely morning med for me. My psychiatrist also warned me about not taking it at night since there's the possibility of activation.

Are you taking it at night? If so, I'm surprised your psychiatrist didn't mention that to you.

If you are afraid it is causing bipolar symptoms, then I definitely think you should contact your psychiatrist!

[BlessedRhiannon]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Abilify is either neutral or activating for most people, even for those without bipolar. I have never heard of someone say it's sedating.

It was certainly activating for me! I could not sleep when I took it at night. Mind racing, etc etc. Definitely morning med for me. My psychiatrist also warned me about not taking it at night since there's the possibility of activation.

This was also my experience. When I was depressed, it worked great because it was activating, but once the depression abated, I had to cut my dose way back or I went kinda hypomanic.

[*Laurie*]

To answer the title of your post- YES! Many meds for bipolar can cause bipolar symptoms. And can definitely cause anxiety. For sure talk with your pdoc.

Abilify most likely caused me to faint and possibly seize....I almost killed myself and my little dog when I came crashing down into the ground. I could hear people running to me and worried and I tried to tell them I was ok but couldn't speak. Take caution when taking these drugs...wTch for any lightheaded or feelings of dizziness. Like an above poster, I also believe psych meds can cause symptoms of bipolar or make them worse. Good luck on finding what works. Wellbutrin used to effect me much like you describe....not consistently, but it had more than it's fair share of moments when it did. It wasn't all bad though. Perhaps you just need a lower dose?

[popuri88]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

To answer the title of your post- YES! Many meds for bipolar can cause bipolar symptoms. And can definitely cause anxiety. For sure talk with your pdoc.

I was wondering if I could've been misdiagnosed with bipolar when SSRIs sent me into hypomania, but then I remembered I had hypomania before meds...