Posted by SLS on July 17, 2012, at 12:07:44
In reply to Re: Zoloft 200mg not working. Scared + need advice! » SLS, posted by herpills on July 17, 2012, at 10:25:58
> Hi Scott- My understanding is that the original poster was looking for something to help anxiety. While you are correct that Abilify can help depression, I would have to agree with BB that it is a lot less likely to help with anxiety. In fact, Abilify causes anxiety in some people.
You are right. It certainly can.
Restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety often occur at the beginning of Abilify treatment and disappear by the end of week 2, if not sooner. These are startup effects only, and are sometimes called "pseudoakathisia". I don't know how common anxiety is as a long-term side effect. As a startup effect, it is very common.
I know a few people who tried Abilify for depression and anxiety for whom it was the anxiety that the drug was most effective for as a treatment.
If it were me, and I were to develop true acute akathisia as a reaction to Abilify, I would contact a doctor right away or discontinue it immediately. People sometimes get suicidal with akathisia.
This is a good summary of the features of akathisia:
"Akathisia: A movement disorder characterized by a feeling of inner restlessness and a compelling need to be in constant motion, as well as by actions such as rocking while standing or sitting, lifting the feet as if marching on the spot, and crossing and uncrossing the legs while sitting. People with akathisia are unable to sit or keep still, complain of restlessness, fidget, rock from foot to foot, and pace."
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=33264
- Scott
Some see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1021540
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120630/msgs/1021609.html