I might have a problem

DX'd - Sz/SzA
1

Hello peeps,

I don’t know what it is, but I have some serious impulse control problems.

I’ve been spending a fair amount of money for about a year now, and today I really did it:

Bought a ring for $645 off Amazon.

In my defense, if I used my Amazon card, I could pay it off interest-free in 18 months.

Who knows, maybe when it gets to my house I’ll absolutely hate it and return it for a refund.

That’s what I’m hoping, anyways. But truth be told, I’ve had my eye on this ring for like, 8 months now.

I told myself I’m not buying anything else, but honestly, when does it stop?

So yes, I think I officially have a problem.

I can’t go to my mom because she flips her shiit every time I buy anything, let alone a $645 ring.

I feel like I’m letting my boyfriend down, because I should totally be saving more money to do cool things with him.

And I’m just too embarrassed to tell my therapist.

Faaaaaaaaack.

So, question for you guys:

Are impulse problems a part of this illness?

Please let me know if you’ve had issues with this.

Oh, and @Aziz, I recall you had impulse problems while on Abilify-- that also happens to be my med as well.

Thanks peeps and sorry for venting :sunny:

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Ouch I’m sorry @Schztuna
It could very well be the Abilify, this makes sense.

I would definitely bring it up with your doctor.

Good luck!

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Thanks @Wave.

Hope it’s not the Abilify, as it’s been working pretty well since I first started taking it.

I hope you’re doing alright with the Depakote, and hope the increase goes smoothly for you.

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Yes I had impulse and shopping addiction problems on Abilify:

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that compulsive or uncontrollable urges to gamble, binge eat, shop, and have sex have been reported with the use of the antipsychotic drug aripiprazole (Abilify, Abilify Maintena, Aristada, and generics). These uncontrollable urges were reported to have stopped when the medicine was discontinued or the dose was reduced. These impulse-control problems are rare, but they may result in harm to the patient and others if not recognized.

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I racked up a huge credit card debt on Abilify.

Treating yourself once in a while is okay. It’s when you can’t make ends meet at the end of the month, that you’ve gone too far.

Return the ring, and purchase a nice one at a thrift store would be my suggestion. And mention this to your PDoc as well, before it gets too far out of hand.

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Thanks for the reply, @Aziz.

Sorry you went through shopping addiction and impulsivity problems while on Abilify.

Did it ever get so bad that you were totally sick of doing something, but you had to keep doing it anyway? Like a compulsion?

Also, about how long were you taking Abilify for before these problems started?

Thanks.

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I’m not sure. If you’ve had your eye on it for 8 months, that mightn’t be an impulse. But I don’t know what else you’ve been spending on.

If you’re concerned, mention it to your psychiatrist as there is indeed an issue with abilify and impulses.

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Thanks for your reply, @anon39054230.

Sorry you racked up a bunch of credit card debt while on Abilify… Credit cards are such a slippery slope for sure.

Totally agree with your statement. I’m doing alright for myself at the moment… But I dunno about $645 worth of “alright.”

In my heart of hearts, I know you’re right about returning the ring.

Going to grow a pair and mention it to my therapist next week-- it’s gone on for far too long.

Thanks.

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Yes I felt regret after buying not needed stuff but I still continued buying unneeded stuff. Sometimes it was expensive like a 1600$ computer part etc It started after a year of being on Abilify and got worse until I emptied my bank account and had thousands in debts on my Visa. I was on Abilify for 8yrs but stopped meds for 2yrs during that time.

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Yeah, that is what I stick on, as well. Abilify certainly is associated with addictive behavior. But I also know what it is like going from being too poor for food to being well off enough to buy things I want. And I still feel INCREDIBLY guilty when i buy myself something nice. I don’t go outside my means, but I still have to psych myself up just to buy something basic like a properly fitting bra.

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Sounds like classic abilify addiction issues.

I dealt with some shopping issues when on it. The impulsivity went away luckily when I quit the drug.

Have you started taking it as prescribed again? Might have more side effects if your chemistry is still wonky donkey.

I would talk to someone about it. As someone who’s deals with multiple addiction issues, it’s serious, it’s scary, it can ruin lives.

Well wishes tuna buddy, stay safe.

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Also the more I had money the more I spent so eventhough I was working full time, I was still having debts. It was too much, I told my pdoc and he said its possible that its the Abilify and he took me off it. Problems stopped soon after stopping the Abilify like 1-2 weeks.

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We all have our vices I guess, when ill once I bought a lot of stuff thinking at the time “they” wanted me to go bankrupt, takes years to correct the damage I did.

I have other vices. hard to fight them, i live alone and no one to stop me, I don’t know if it is meds, personality or sz, hard to tell

You are not the first person to buy a ring, many do, maybe just enjoy it? I managed to get my buying under control but I understand the thrill of receiving that new item.

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Dont know if its impulse control problem or not but my opinion is its a frivolous purchase although a nice ring or other item can give you a boost but my two cents is to return for refund

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Thanks for the reply, @everhopeful.

100% transparency: I probably go shopping almost every day.

Although the last two times I’ve gone, I ended up walking out with nothing-- so I suppose that’s a small victory.

Will mention it to my pdoc when the appointment rolls around this month.

Thanks.

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Thanks for your reply, @Ninjastar.

I felt the same as you when I first started earning like, real money. Necessities like food, rent, and student loans were justified. But something as necessary as a well-fitting bra? Ooooh nope, too expensive. Do I really need it? Nah.

Thanks.

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Yeah. I mean, I don’t know your budget. I don’t know if a 645$ ring would break you. Hopefully you and your pdoc and your boyfriend can sit down and talk about it. What really made me relate was your comment about how you should be using that money for fun activities with your boyfriend. To me, that sounds like the money was going to be used on fun stuff anyways, and you just feel like you dont deserve the fun things as much as your boyfriend.

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Thanks for your response, llama bud.

I’m sorry you went through some shopping issues while on Abilify, and sending you good vibes in staving off those addiction issues :sunny:.

Gonna muster up the guts to tell my therapist next week.

Thank you and hope all’s well.

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Thanks for your response, @Mountainman.

You are strong for fighting those vices, especially all by yourself. Takes character for sure.

This is how I feel too. It’s just one big pot of shiit stew at that point.

Glad you were able to reign your spending in, that’s awesome.

Thanks.

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Thanks @Schztuna

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