Abilify makes me a raging monster and angry

hi spanell78 i  suffer from bipolar 2 and have been on lots of meds since i was 15 now 30 none have really worked for me either but i still take them been put on serquel recently also take lamical and lithium but coming of lithium i also have major anger problems when i go high last time was in december when i had to go in hospital you say 8 weeks give it a bit longer but if you feel that it is not helping then ask for another med also 2 manic episodes in one week seems pretty bad what does your doc say about it do you get on with your doc anyway i wish you good luck let us know how you got on this forum i really helpful given me lots of help over the

years good luck 

I currently take Lamictal and Wellbutrin.  Lamictal is probably the only decent medication I've ever taken for BP 1.  It wouldn't help with a maniacal state but if you take it during depression it levels you out well, and I haven't felt maniacal since.  So far, it's been over a year since I've felt out of control.

The only immediate side effect I experienced were headaches.  Otherwise, it only seemed to impair my spelling and ability to use language effectively for 5-6 months.  It's possible that I'm still impaired but you forget about how smart you were at some point.  200 mg of Lamictal has worked well for me so I would suggest giving it a shot.

-D

You can't be in a remission from a personality disorder. If it is gone, you have experienced a cure! Most counselors are taught to believe that one cannot cure a personality disorder, that they are ingrained and permanent. This is not the case. Healing is something that the sufferer has to want and they have to see that the way they function in the face of the personality disorder doesn't work and they can change. They DO change and it is not a remission, it is lasting. I suspect your counselor feels that these things are incurable, but she is incorrect.

I think that you know that you are not behaving the way you wish to towards your family is further proof of a cure of sorts with regard to your life. You need to see the psychiatrist because this is not working. A medication can make you feel better, but what does that count if it makes such a rift in your family as you are describing. You need a new medication.

You have to understand, as many of us on the bipolar board do, that medication is not an end all, not a cure, not even necessarily a permanent fix for the problem. We know not to look at 100% better, but perhaps at 75% better. We all know that we'll have to learn to control ourselves to make progress for what the medication doesn't help. It can be done. Progress, not perfection! That said, I think it is quite reasonable and intelligent to give a medication a shot for 8 wks and if you come unglued at the seams, it is not working, then go back to the doctor and be straight. Take your family in part or all and let them talk about it. They are a constant relationship for you and the doctor cannot be. THey have more insight into your medication and reactions than anyone else, even you.

Good luck and remember, you are not alone...we are here for you.