Weaning off Abilify

Hello- new here! Found this forum looking for support regarding weaning off meds like Abilify. I’ve been on Abilify as an add on for depression and anxiety for 8 years, after a 2 year bout with extreme depression and anxiety.

Long story short, it’s been working really well... so well I’ve been symptom free for 6 years. I have been scared to come off anything until about a year ago, and last week talked to my dr about trying to taper down. She agrees it’s a good time and reason to taper off.

She said to take 1/2 dose for 30 days, 1/2 dose every other day for 14 days, then 1/2 dose every 3 days for 14 days... then stop. I’m only on day 4 of the first step but so far feel no different.

Thoughts or experiences or side effects others have experienced?

Every time I went off Abilify, I became psychotic. Thus, I'm on the shot now. The shot is working well for me. I have schizoaffective disorder and need to be on an AP. Also, my appetite decreased while off Abilify. Finally, I slept less too.

One thing to remember even once the half life of the Med is finally out of your system which can take weeks sometimes, your brain will have to go back to working sans meds

I quit Lithium years ago and no lie I struggled for almost 3 months until I was back to functioning in my mind correctly.

I stopped using Abilify as an add-on for depression by weaning off, similar to what you are doing. It went fine for me.