Wondering about experiences with Abilify?
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Anonymous
| We have a psychiatry appointment coming up and I am fairly certain the next step suggested for my son will be Abilify. He is almost 7 with ASD level 1. His main problem is emotional dysregulation and violent behaviors. If your child is or has been on Abilify, did it work and if so, how long did it work for? Besides the side effects, one concern I have is that I've read for a period of time (anywhere from several weeks to several months) and then stops working, and that it can be very difficult to wean off of. An additional thought I have is that his behavior is mainly a problem at school. He does exhibit some aggression at home, but it's manageable, and I will be working from home while he stays home this summer. I'm wondering if we shouldn't wait until a month before school starts to begin Abilify, just to put it off a little longer given how pronounced the side effects can be. |
Anonymous
| Switch schools, don’t drug your kid. |
Anonymous
| Do homeschooling |
Anonymous
|
I have been on Abilify myself, as an adult. I gained over 50lbs and it gave me tardive dyskinesia (which, fortunately, went away when I went off it -- that is not the case for everyone). I will no longer take antipsychotics (I take a mood stabilizer instead), and wouldn't recommend anyone take them, let alone a child.
But you weigh the pros and cons with any medication, and everyone's situation is different. |
Anonymous
OP here. I'm sorry you went through that. I appreciate your perspective. |
Anonymous
| Abilify has been amazing for my kid with same profile. She never gained any weight. |
Anonymous
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My child has had good experiences with Abilify but experienced the weight gain side effect.
Depending on your child, I would not rule out medication as one tool in the tool box to help your child be successful. |
Anonymous
Wow, that's great. Can I ask how long she has been on it? |
Anonymous
about 8 years now. She's 16. |
Anonymous
We definitely have not ruled out medication. He is on his 3rd right now. I just have some concerns about putting him on an antipsychotic or mood stabilizer at his age, though he may need it. I'm glad your child had a good experience with Abiligy? Can I ask how long they were on it? |
Anonymous
Thanks! That's encouraging to hear. |
Anonymous
My child has been on Abilify for at least five years (I think my child was on Abilify by third grade based on dysregulation in the school setting) at this point with gradually increases. Because my child has had a successful school year (knock on wood with respect to the last few days), our psychiatrist is recommending that we begin reducing the Abilify now (my child advocated for no changes until the school year ended) |
Anonymous
My husband had a similar experience - tardive dyskinesia. And he was just tongue tied and a shut-in recluse until the drug wore off. Never again. |
Anonymous
PP here. I stopped reading books and have only now, years later, started reading again (and books are a huge part of my life, I have an MFA in creative writing). The cognitive side effects of antipsychotics can be life-changing in the worst possible ways. |
Anonymous
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My kid went on this as a last resort when they were 12 and we had no choice, violent outbursts, suicidal ideation etc and was hospitalized (the psych there put him on it to stabilize him)
I hated having them on it, he developed a tic, and I was terrified of the long-term consequences (never gained any weight) We found another psych and weaned them off after a few months onto Lamictal. The tic went away. They are now 16 and off ALL psych meds and doing really well. |