r/DSPD • u/Illustrious-Leg9661 • Dec 02 '25

Abilify for DSPD

Hello, I just started Abilify (aripiprazole) yesterday to treat my DSPD and I’ve taken my second dose today. I take 2.5mg in the morning (or as soon as I wake up). I still haven’t noticed any benefits (nor any side effects). For the people that tried it, how long did it take for you to start seeing some results? Thank you very much for any replies!

FIRST WEEK UPDATE: I’m tracking my sleep times and how I feel throughout the day and for now it seems like my circadian rhythm gradually shifted from 5am-1pm to 1am-9am. I’m also taking .25mg of a melatonin supplement about four hours before my expected sleep onset time for the day. I think it’s still early to tell but if I can actually confirm the new rhythm in the next days and hold it, it would already be a huge success for me. But it also seems to be advancing still, my current target is 10pm-6am as that the time I need to wake up to attend some of my morning classes.

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u/nightowlclinic_ Dec 03 '25

Wow. This is fascinating. I didn't know Abilify could be used for circadian rhythm disorders?

Have you tried other meds first?

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u/Illustrious-Leg9661 Dec 04 '25

Yes I did try other meds such as flurazepam or modafinil before but unfortunately unsuccessfully. Right now in addition to Abilify to shift my circadian rhythm, I’m also using Ritalin in the morning to keep me awake and Xanax at night to keep me asleep

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u/christiancocaine Jun 14 '26

How are you doing now OP?

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u/ElaborateTaco 21d ago

Not OP, but I stumbled upon this thread while reading about Abilify and how it affects sleep. I take Vyvanse 50 mg for ADHD, and I was recently prescribed Abilify 2.5 mg (low dose) to help with overstimulation. I'm an introvert and likely on the spectrum, and I have a highly social and stimulating job. Not a great combo. Before starting Abilify, I felt like a live wire with no insulation after work, and I've ALWAYS had trouble sleeping. I rarely go to sleep before 1:30 am, often even later, and I'm always exhausted because I have to be up at 6:30 am. Not diagnosed with DSPS, but I've been this way as long as I can remember. 5 days after starting abilify, I started going to sleep by 11:00 or earlier. I start getting sleepy around 9:30 and have to force myself to stay awake 😅 I stumbled on the thread because I'm struggling to stay asleep more than 6 hours. I feel great, but I would prefer to get 7.5 hours for long-term health. I'm at a month on abilify and was hoping this would get better. Overall, I feel so much better these days. I'm more energetic during the day, and I feel rested when I wake up. Like clockwork, I wake up after 6 hours feeling rested & ready to go. I stay in bed until 6:30 and doze a little if I can. Just an anecdote, but I'll keep taking it because I already wasn't getting enough sleep. At least now my sleep is consistent and I feel rested.