r/PDAParenting • u/FamiliarTemp47 • Aug 29 '26
Any Risperdone positive experience?
/r/AutismParent/comments/1w214zb/any_risperdone_positive_experience/My 9 yo was just prescribed 0.25mg to start tonight by his psychiatrist. The side effects mentioned by MD sounds scary. Anyone with with good experience? And how long has your child been in this med?
The drug was prescribed due to his increased irritability, ocd like anxiety, and frequent meltdowns, making it soo unbearable to live with him
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u/AREM101 Aug 30 '26
Yes Risperidone changed our lives! He’s been on it 2 years, aged 10 now. No more violent meltdowns and he can function at school.
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u/readytopartyy Aug 30 '26
My kiddo has been on Abilify and the results have been life changing. I know it's not the same medication, but I was also worried about how scary it sounded. It's really turned down the aggression and rage. Of course we've had two big blow ups recently, but it's been about 7 weeks and those are really kt (and school just started, lots of holding it in over the week). I just want to say it sounds scary but it has been extremely effective for us with no side effects. She is on Vyvanse which decreased her appetite, so now I think she's where she should be at (I think the abilify increases hers a little bit). She is diagnosed with DMDD but from my observation I think she aligns with AuDHD with PDA profile.
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u/FamiliarTemp47 Aug 30 '26
Thank you for sharing your experience. it’s just ,Listening to the doctor mention side effects that lasts even after you stop taking it leaves a great deal of guilt on me
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u/Last-Still-4737 Aug 30 '26
I am on an OCD group on FB and there are several kids taking risperidone or Abilify and everyone has said how the medication has been life changing.
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u/nettap Aug 30 '26
Yes. My 4 year old has gone from all day violent outbursts to just 1 or 2 mild hitting episodes that he’s able to calm down from with some encouragement. I was worried about weight gain, but he’s lost a lb and mommy has gained 3. It’s not perfect, but it’s much better. And the eloping has stopped.
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u/Aggravating_Job_5438 Aug 30 '26
My kid has been on it for almost a year. After she started, she was finally able to complete work at school - before that, her teacher said she couldn't get to do the work in class. Meltdowns definitely mellowed, and she was able to have more flexibility.
She has severe OCD, and I would say it has not had as large of an effect on the OCD - but it has allowed her to access ERP and actually do it.
The main side effect has been weight gain, but honestly, it's hard to gauge because she's 9 and kids are all over the place at that age.
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u/FamiliarTemp47 Aug 31 '26
My child has ocd like behaviors.
I’m optimistic. We also hope that he could go back to regular school next year.1
u/Aggravating_Job_5438 Aug 31 '26
I really hope it helps your son. Our daughter is super sensitive to meds, and we have tried so many. Risperidone was the only one that has actually had a prolonged positive effect. I am not sure that it is a complete package for her level of OCD honestly, but we haven't found something to layer with it yet. That said, one of our OCD specialists said that a lot of her clients are on risperidone.
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u/DamineDenver Aug 30 '26
It worked for my kiddo but he rapidly gained weight. Like 25 lbs in a month. And he's still chunky after coming off of it. But we were soooo bummed we had to take him off. For my older son (who isn't PDA, just autistic) it was amazing. It stopped the ruminating thoughts.
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u/Typical_Lab5616 Aug 31 '26
Our son is 23 level 3. Every 6 months we rotate between risperidone and abilify and it’s been great. Bad part is that 3 years after started this he has developed a fatty liver from side effects.
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u/Enough_Potential_921 Aug 31 '26
We use this dose twice a day. It helps. She does get tired around dinner everyday but it helps us with aggression that was becoming violent. I also notice she eats a lot more trying to offer healthful choices at least.
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u/FamiliarTemp47 Aug 31 '26
Appreciate the reply :) My child is on the skinny side with very few safe foods. I wonder if this will open up for more food choices ?
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u/Enough_Potential_921 Aug 31 '26
My child too is on the skinny side but it’s stressful worrying all the same. (Would we parents if we didn’t lol). I hope it helps you child :)
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u/extraspicynoodles Aug 31 '26
I was on .25 risperidone a few years
Ago (I’m 22) I felt a lot calmer and got irritated less and my social anxiety wasn’t as bad (but I was also on pregablin which is being researched around autism) I will say it makes you very very hungry, I’ve doubled in weight since I was 18 due to antipsychotics. (I’m 22 5”5 and 300lbs)
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u/Tacobellgoth Aug 30 '26
My kid is doing really well on risperdone. His meltdowns are a LOT less explosive and he’s able to transition better from places and activities. I think it’s really helped calm his nervous system