[simonesparrow]

I stopped taking it after two weeks, but my sleep has been very disturbed, and I had terrible nightmares of drowning as a form of mandated suicide, and also threatened to shoot my mother. I've had some very bloody dreams in the past, also, being stabbed and disfigured.

Hard to know where this is all coming from. Is this "normal" for someone who
suffered intense trauma as child?:

[CANDC]

Hi Simone, thanks for joining the Psych Central community.

What my first thought is you went cold turkey off Abilify. Tapering and weaning are essential. Did you asked your doctor if you should get off abilify and how to get off safely. If not asking them immediately is a wise choice.
http://psychcentral.com/search/?Matc...bilify&x=0&y=0

Trauma is possible source of dreams but sounds like med reaction - talk to pdoc.

[Wren_]

How long has it been since you stopped taking it, and were you having any nightmares like this before you began (and before you stopped)?

Wondering the same things Candc mentioned as well regarding your drs involvement in the process

[Thunder Bow]

Trauma from childhood causes those dream. Shooting your mother is about your anger towards your mother. All the scenes in your dreams relate to that trauma. Therapy will help you heal.

QUOTE=simonesparrow;4199445]I stopped taking it after two weeks, but my sleep has been very disturbed, and I had terrible nightmares of drowning as a form of mandated suicide, and also threatened to shoot my mother. I've had some very bloody dreams in the past, also, being stabbed and disfigured.

Hard to know where this is all coming from. Is this "normal" for someone who
suffered intense trauma as child?:[/QUOTE]

Hi Simone,
Abilify can definitely cause nightmares. Keep in mind certain medications can stay in your system for a week or longer after you stop taking them..definitely the safe road to bring it up at the doc's. I hope the nightmares ease up..

[xxblackrosesxx]

If you stop medication that your body has adapted to over a long period of time you can get very strange dreams...your mind is reversing effects right now and reminding you of stuff that you probably tried blocking before.

Sorry about your nightmares, Simonsparrows. I take abilify and don't have nightmares. I know meds affect everyone differently though.