Bipolar Disorder and Abilify
July 6, 2008 12:28 am Abilify, Medications and Bipolar DisorderYou may have noticed that many people with bipolar disorder take Abilify.
Abilify is an antipsychotic medication- also known as a neuroleptic. It’s a newer antipsychotic, so it’s called an atypical anti psychotic! Whew. It, along with the other atypicals such as Risperdal and Zyprexa have less side effects than the older drugs such as Thorazine and Haldol.
This doesn’t mean they don’t have major side effects. They still do, but they’re easier to tolerate for many people.
The main plus of Abilify is that it doesn’t seem to have the weight gain problems associated with drugs such as Zyprexa and Risperdal. That is a plus. On the down side, Abilify can be extremely sedating for some (ME!) or very agitating for others (my friend Sherri).
It’s always a trade off. Abilify can help with mania and suicidal thoughts.
Many people with bipolar disorder take anti psychotics. They just aren’t talked about as much as the mood stabilizers!
julie
* A note for reprinting Julie's work** You now have permission to reprint “Bipolar Happens” Newsletter articles and blogs on your web site, in your e-zine or share them with your support groups, forward to friends, or print copies for your health care providers. Publishing Requirements: Each article must be reprinted in its full form, with no changes. Please include the following byline at the end of each article.================================
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Julie A. Fast best selling author of Take Charge of Bipolar Disorder, Loving Someone with Bipolar Disorder and Get it Done When You're Depressed is a critically acclaimed six-time author, award winning bipolar disorder advice columnist, national speaker, and sought after expert in the fields of bipolar disorder and depression. Julie’s work specializes in helping people manage all aspects of their daily lives -despite the complications that bipolar disorder creates. To learn how to personalize a plan to help yourself or a loved one find and create stability that ensures the quality of life that we all deserve, visit: http://www.bipolarhappens.comThis site uses WordPress Candy Plugin
August 1st, 2008 at 2:07 am
Hi, Julie,
I had to stop taking Abilify because of a fine tremor I developed in my hands. My handwriting changed; it was difficult to hold food on a fork, etc. It has been about three months since I stopped taking it, and the tremor is still there, though somewhat diminished. Hopefully, it will disappear with time, but according to my internist, Abilify can cause permanent tremors.
Dana