[Generic_username123]

I had my 3rd episode at the end of August and it lasted about a month before I was put on aripiprazole which sorted it out, during this time I imagined all sorts of horrible things like I was being punished for being responsible for the death of my cousin from years ago.

Now the meds have worked and I feel like I should be relieved but I feel very antsy and like I have to keep shaking my leg and my tolerance for being bored has gotten worst especially in work, I have a very repetitive job. I don't have that much interest in things really and I don't have the concentration for reading books. I don't get energized from social interaction anymore.

I just feel very "meh" :-/

[Loial]

Hi,

Welcome to pysch central!

Sorry you are having a hard time although your psychosis is under control.

The shaking your leg thing sounds like it might be akathisia, can make you feel uncomfortable sitting still. I used to tap my foot constantly whilst I was on Amisulpride. It stopped largely speaking after I came off APs altogether though.

I think it's quite common to get a period of apathy following psychosis. I didn't start getting apathetic until almost 7 months after my psychotic episode. I think partly it was due to the meds too though, it can be hard to tell sometimes though.

There is also the possibility it could be depression... are you feeling down at all or is just apathy?

I assume you'll be having regular appointments with a p-doc? You should probably bring these things up & they might be able to help.

[Generic_username123]

Originally Posted by Lawscot

Hi,

Welcome to pysch central!

Sorry you are having a hard time although your psychosis is under control.

The shaking your leg thing sounds like it might be akathisia, can make you feel uncomfortable sitting still. I used to tap my foot constantly whilst I was on Amisulpride. It stopped largely speaking after I came off APs altogether though.

I think it's quite common to get a period of apathy following psychosis. I didn't start getting apathetic until almost 7 months after my psychotic episode. I think partly it was due to the meds too though, it can be hard to tell sometimes though.

There is also the possibility it could be depression... are you feeling down at all or is just apathy?

I assume you'll be having regular appointments with a p-doc? You should probably bring these things up & they might be able to help.

I'm a very anxious person and I think that's mostly to do with it. I have a nervous energy that can be a bad influence on people plus the fact my boyfriend keeps wanting breaks from me which I will post about in the aspergers forum as he has aspergers.

I'm tired of being anxious and tense all the time, it's off putting and I cannot interact socially without feeling incompetent.

[Sometimes psychotic]

I agree with the akathisia part---really typical sort of restless behavior with abilify--have you been on it before and was it the same dose?

[Generic_username123]

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

I agree with the akathisia part---really typical sort of restless behavior with abilify--have you been on it before and was it the same dose?

I have and I had the same symptoms. I was given diazepam for a short time which worked last time but isn't working this time.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by Generic_username123

I have and I had the same symptoms. I was given diazepam for a short time which worked last time but isn't working this time.

That stinks, I suppose it's not worth the risk of changing AP's so close to an episode though but a lot of APs are not as prone to the restlessness as abilify.

[Generic_username123]

Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic

That stinks, I suppose it's not worth the risk of changing AP's so close to an episode though but a lot of APs are not as prone to the restlessness as abilify.

I chose the restlessness over the weight gain although I have heard abilify cause weight gain and I did gain a lot whilst I was on it over my first episode which lasted 6 months so I don't know if it's a coincidence. Part of me wants to come off it asap just in case it was that, I've already lost 2 stone, I'm scared I will put it back on.

But it could have been me comfort eating more during that period, I honestly don't know.

[Loial]

I think that Abilify can cause more anxiety than other APs... they can probably supplement with an SSRI or some other anxiety medication if it's an issue.

I'm currently on Citalopram for anxiety & waiting to go on an AP when I get an appointment with a p-doc. I'd quite like to try Abilify but not sure how that'd work out.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by Lawscot

I think that Abilify can cause more anxiety than other APs... they can probably supplement with an SSRI or some other anxiety medication if it's an issue.

I'm currently on Citalopram for anxiety & waiting to go on an AP when I get an appointment with a p-doc. I'd quite like to try Abilify but not sure how that'd work out.

I think it actually lessens my anxiety quite a bit and while it does make me slightly restless it's not the pacing type stuff others describe.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by Lawscot

I think that Abilify can cause more anxiety than other APs... they can probably supplement with an SSRI or some other anxiety medication if it's an issue.

I'm currently on Citalopram for anxiety & waiting to go on an AP when I get an appointment with a p-doc. I'd quite like to try Abilify but not sure how that'd work out.

I have Cymbalta here but last time I tried it I felt panicked. I'm on Abilify and hoped the Cymbalta would help for joint pain and I didn't have the anxiety from it when I was on it before. So now I'm not sure if I should try it again. I want to but I'm afraid of the anxiety.

[Sometimes psychotic]

Originally Posted by Generic_username123

I chose the restlessness over the weight gain although I have heard abilify cause weight gain and I did gain a lot whilst I was on it over my first episode which lasted 6 months so I don't know if it's a coincidence. Part of me wants to come off it asap just in case it was that, I've already lost 2 stone, I'm scared I will put it back on.

But it could have been me comfort eating more during that period, I honestly don't know.

True I think all of the more weight neutral ones have the same risks of being too activating----and I agree it's worth it. I gained 10 pounds on its but it's not major like zyprexa or others.