Abilify for anxiety ??? - Anxiety Message Board

msterio619 · 02-14-2007, 07:30 PM

I went into my doctor today for med management visit for panic/social anxiety disorder. Prior this visit I was only taking Klonapin for my anxiety. This was first visit with a new doc he had asked what all meds (anti-depress) ones I had taken in past. He said I should take Abilify and gave me script. 5mg 1st week then bump up to 15mg 2nd week. After reading on line this med is used to treat schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. Has anyone here taken this med for anxiety/panic attacks with success?

I also said I had been having difficulties sleeping and he had prescribed Seroquel. Has anyone else been giving this to help them sleep. And again reading online this med is also for schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. Don't know how this will help with my anxiety.

Doesn't make since to give me meds that don't even have anything to do with my disorder(s)

On paper he gave me to give secreatry to make follow up appointment there was a diagnois code of 296.5 - which i looked up and was: Bipolar I Disorder, Most Recent Episode Depressed, Unspecified

I met this person one time and don't understand how they can diagnois me with that. I have been treated for anxiety and depression for past 10 yrs. The anxiety/depression was reason I was granted Social Sec Disab not Bi-Polar.

-619

ocdengineer · 02-15-2007, 05:51 AM

Bipolar dissorder is the most over diagnosed disease out there and unfortunately it is also the most incorrectly diagnosed dissorder. Many people with anxiety dissorder go through small ups and dows usually associated with anxiety. They will fight for a month or three against that anxiety and then crash into a depression because it seems futile and then pick themself up and do it again. It looks like cycles, but it is not Bipolar dissorder and you shouldn't be taking an antipsychotic for anxiety dissorder.

Was the Klonopin working? If so, then your diagnosis is probably wrong, because Benzo's can cause increased psychosis in people with a psychotic dissorders which is what Bipolar dissorder is. Bipolar is characterized by extreme highs called mania and then extreme lows called depression. This dissorder is also called manic depression. If you look up the symptoms of manic depression on the web you will see it is a psychosis and not a neurosis. Unless you have irrational manic stages followed by deeper than deep depressions (suicidal), then it is unlikely that you have Bipolar dissorder.

In conclusion, after your web search, if you don't fit the description of a manic depressive, then find another doctor that has your best interests in mind and don't take the new medication. I would continue the Klonopin if is working for you. Also, did the new doctor give you a plan to slowly wean off the Klonopin? If not then he is a real jackass and you really need to find another doctor because the Klonopin causes dependency and is really dangerous to simply stop taking cold turkey unless you were taking very minimal amounts.

I hope this helps,
OE

j2006 · 02-15-2007, 06:43 AM

Depending on what SSRI's you have been on in the past - if they did not work sometimes they do prescribe other meds that MAY work.

If you feel uncomfortable you should call the doctor and speak with them about your concerns.

msterio619 · 02-15-2007, 11:16 AM

From what I read I don't fit the criteria for bi-polar. I don't experience any of those symptoms. When this doc was asking me questions about how I felt. I simply said I had a hard time going out without experiening a great deal of anxiety. I had a hard time being around alot of people or just being in a group setting without this giving me panic attacks. He then asked about my sleep. I told him at the moment I am having a hard time sleeping. I go to bed and wake up 3-4 hrs later. I have a problem staying asleep. He then asked how I intially felt upon waking up and I said fully awake but after 2 hrs or so I get tired (cuz I havent got a good nights sleep) then he asked how i feel throughout the day when i wake up like that and I said sluggish. So with him only meeting me once he concludes its bi-polar is BS. I had been diagnoised with panic/w agoraphobia and social anxiety and i been living with this quite some time 10yrs now.

He asked what meds I been on in past and I been on most SSRi's and tricyclic without any luck. The klonpin I have been on now for 10yrs. They have me on it 2x a day and I don't as prescribed - I take only 1/2 tab at night to help me sleep. I was on xanax before and I found that to be helpful when I went out or had to be around alot of people.

As for the new meds I haven't touched them. I don't have bi-polar and don't see how this medication will help with anxiety.

ocdengineer · 02-15-2007, 03:36 PM

I think you have found an answer. I agree that it sounds like anxiety dissorder and not a psychosis, so find yourself a second opinion and see what they have to say. Again, careful with the klonopin, becuase if you stop it cold turkey after years of use then you could get some withdrawl anxiety that can be pretty severe. Find another doctor soon. Also, if you take the benzo at the correct dose it will help you a lot! I take 2 mg of Xanax a day and it helps me stave off panic attacks really well. I also quite drinking, smokin, and caffeine. I exercise and meditate as much as I can and that really helps too.

Bottom line: Find a doctor who is looking out for you!

Later,
OE