Has anyone experienced Abilify making their child have bad handwriting?
My DS has been on Abilify since the 2nd grade (10 mg). His handwriting has been awful since then. I keep thinking he may have dysgraphia but now I am wondering if it is a side effect of Abilify. It says that Abilify can effect "your judgment, thinking, or motor skills. I believe hand writing is a motor skill and I am wondering now if there is a connection with this. My concern came when I found a writing assignment that he did back in 1st grade and I could not believe how neatly his handwriting was (he is in 5th now). He can't spell of write neatly. You can't even make out what he writes. SLoppy, all over the lines. Words squished together. spelling awful! He also never can sit still and complains his feet "tickle".
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Mom,43, Anxiety, 50 mg. Zoloft,
DSS, 23, step-son, self medicates
DS, 13, ADHD, Daytrana Patch (only on school days)
DS, 11, Bipolar, ADHD, ODD, Anxiety: 10 mg. Abilify, 150 Wellbutrin
DS, 9, healthy
DD, 6, healthy
Married 7 years to DH, 46
Medicines tried: Intuniv (manic in 6 weeks), Zoloft (could of caused manic but unsure), Risperdal, increased prolactin -- Geodon, hyperfocused and obessessed all day -- Trileptal, 1 dose and was bouncing off the wall -- concerta, out of control in school -- Seroquel, anger, irritable, sucididal -- clonidine for sleep at times, tenex ?? -- Abilify now for 3 years and still wondering if he has akasthia or just hyper and can't sit still.
My ds16's handwriting also deteriorated around that age. Actually, it went to pot when he developed severe Tourette's. I don't think it had anything to do with meds, as he has been on multiple med combos over the years, and his writing is still pretty bad. It is more legible now, though, compared to a few years ago when he was terribly unstable.
That being said, it could be due to the Abilify.
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Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 16, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 14, BP,AS, hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, levothyroxin, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 years to DH, 49
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FROM CABF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.
Hmmm...my son is 15 and has been taking Abilify since he was 10. His handwriting is also AWFUL. His hands shake too. I have always thought it was just part of the complex kid that he is, but now I do wonder if it's the Abilify. Interesting...
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Cindy
Married to DH 25 years and counting
DS 15 Mood disorder Lamictal 400 mgs, Abilify, 8mgs, Wellbutrin 30 mgs
DD 17 High school junior
DD 19 College sophomore
Abilify was tried on our sons and we saw no difference in their dysgraphia.
They have been dysgraphic since learning to write in pre-k and K. They have remained dysgraphic throughout the years whether they on meds or completely off of them. For my two sons the dysgraphia isn't med related, but a component of their bipolar condition. The computer has been a vital tool for them to use for both speed, and written expression to complete school assignments.
Their handwriting is more legible some days than others, depending on their mood and stability, both are dx'd with dsygraphia by the docs who did their neuropsych reports.
Noticing a dramatic change in handwriting with a new med would be worth mentioning to your doctor, and watching, if you think the two are related.
It seems like a tremor would contribute to dysgraphia. Do you think the Abilify is causing a tremor? Is he on lithium?
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Brenda,50, CABF Parent to Parent Volunteer
Mom to A, 16, BP, Tourette's, OCD, ADHD: Eskalith CR, Trilafon, Lamictal, Seroquel, Cytomel
E, 14, BP,AS, hypothyroidism: Seroquel, Eskalith CR, levothyroxin, inositol
B, 13 & H, 10
Married 17 years to DH, 49
If CABF has helped you, please help CABF. Donate today. http://www.bpkids.org/donate?campaign=forums2010
FROM CABF: Do not start, stop, or change medications or other treatments for yourself or your child based on what you read on this Website or elsewhere on the Internet. Information presented here should not replace the considered judgement of a doctor who knows you or your child.