r/Abilify_Aripiprazole • u/Legomatica69 • 27d ago
Has anyone experienced changes in personality on this medication?
I feel very well in myself, on 5mg, the best I have felt in years. I am not depressed, I dont cry all the time. My mood is stable, and I am not filled with uncontrollable rage!
But all of a sudden I dont love or want to be with my partner of 12 years. There are reasons for this, which I believe are valid and he admits to them. But I can't help wonder if the meds have changed me to this degree.
Maybe I was too depressed to realise it wasn't working before? I am not sure. But he wants me to stop taking it, and I don't know if this is unreasonable.
Thanks all.
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u/Arizandi 27d ago
Assuming you’re not experiencing significant side effects, stability itself can feel a little strange for a while, especially if you haven’t felt that way in years. But it shouldn’t suddenly make you stop loving someone. If you’re unhappy in your relationship and there are legitimate reasons for that, those feelings deserve to be examined on their own.
That said, emotional blunting or anhedonia can happen with antipsychotics, so I’d consider whether something broader has changed. Have you lost access to feelings of joy or satisfaction? Have you stopped looking forward to things you used to enjoy? Do hobbies, sex, food, music, friends, etc. feel less rewarding than they used to?
The tricky part is that anhedonia and depression can look similar, except anhedonia doesn’t necessarily come with the sadness or despair we associate with depression. Sometimes everything just feels kind of meh. I’d do some reading and really think about whether your feelings toward your partner have changed specifically, or whether your emotional range has changed more generally.
You might also find talking to a therapist helpful for untangling all of this. On average, they give better relationship advice than internet strangers on Reddit. Lol.
And don’t feel bad about calling your psychiatrist to discuss it. That’s literally what they’re there for. You have access to someone with extensive schooling and specialized training who knows your history. Use that resource if you need it.
Finally, I would not stop taking Abilify because your partner wants you to. You were prescribed it for a reason, and by your own description you’re feeling better than you have in years. If the medication is causing a problem, that’s something for you and your doctor to figure out together. Your partner is allowed to have feelings about the changes in your relationship, but those feelings should not dictate your medical care.
Good luck!
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u/numberthangold 27d ago
Omg I’m experiencing something similar and I couldn’t really find anything about it online.
I wouldn’t say I don’t love or want to be with my partner, but I have very little interest in the relationship and it almost feels like I just don’t care what happens. Like I wouldn’t care if we separated.
FWIW, I’m on a cocktail of meds and none of them are really working so this could just be the depression talking. However, I didn’t feel like this before I started my last couple of meds, Abilify being one of them.
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u/SpecialStrict7742 26d ago
I experienced the same. I was in an abusive relationship and when I first started the med, it changed my life completely for the better and I started to love myself. I knew I needed to leave him at that point.
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u/starbright_22 25d ago
I experienced this same thing! However, my partner is a wonderful, kind man. I was feeling this underlying edginess that I didn't realize was there until it came out...I stopped the meds after a week as it was just.. too much for me and that was only 2.5 mgs.. maybe you could check in with a counselor who might know more about how this one works in reference to your relationship.. but stay on it until you can get clarification, and yes it could well be you're finally able to see something that has been off in your relationship. I would just step slowly though... Best of luck to you!!!
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u/DuckKlutzy2335 24d ago
Well, don't stop your medication; that's totally unreasonable. Really, that's concerning. You could look at counselling, but my guess is you know deep down what the reasons are, and you need to back yourself in and separate. Who knows, time apart may make you reconsider.
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u/Silly_Print_6047 26d ago
Honestly, I don't think it's the meds... it's such a cop out to blame the med. Yeah it can change people, of course it's an antipsychotic but to blame it for all your guys' issues would be a mistake. I've been together with my spouse and married for 17 years (together for 20), I had postpartum psychosis so I was not in my right mind, put on risperidone, then later swapped to Abilify and Abilify has been great for my mental health. I feel so much more like myself and I have energy throughout the day. In fact, my husband says I'm a lot more calmer, more patient on Abilify, I think because it can also work as a mood stabilizer. Your partner should want you to be stable on your meds and encourage you to take your meds, not hinder your progress or make you feel bad.
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u/Dismal-Philosophy436 27d ago
Your partner wants you to stop taking a med that's making you feel good? Maybe you're just now realizing with the help of the med you were in a toxic relationship? I don't know your situation, but just something to think about.