Abilify · Planning · Jul 8, 2026

Tapering: Abilify

planning

47 posts

Italy

Psychiatrist uncooperative

July 8, 2026

I'm currently on Abilify (Maintena) 300 mg, so I'm taking an intramuscular injection. What worries me is that I can't cut ties with the Mental Health Center because the last time I did, they came to pick me up at home with a mandatory medical assessment. I really want to live a life without drugs, I want to be free, but today the psychiatrist told me he wants me to take the bimonthly injection that lasts two months. I don't want to take them, damn it, how did you do it? I'm 29 I don't wantto take them forever please

Abilify — 300 mg Maintena — 7 years but with different dosage — planning taper | other — EN delorazepam medication: current dose 1 mg when needed — 2 years — holding | other — Akineton - 2 mg — 5 months — holding | with clinician

9 Replies

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BasedStaffJul 8

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @DiSoleEDAzzurro , Quite a tricky situation. Have the medications improved your mental health? Is there a reason theyre willing to use court ordered medications?

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

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CatinaJul 8

Community AnchorEffexor

Hi @DiSoleEDAzzurro....I'm really sorry you're in this position. I had to do a bit of research about patient mental health rights in Italy, and I will share what I found: Italy's mental health care is based on the Basaglia Law (Law 180). This law closed psychiatric hospitals and made community care the standard. Patients have the right to voluntary treatment, personalized care plans UPMC Italy, and refuse treatment except in strict emergencies. The Italian Constitution and National Health Service (SSN) guarantee these key mental health rights: Voluntary Treatment: You have the right to choose your care and refuse treatments. Most mental healthcare is provided in local, community-based Mental Health Centers (CSM). Strict Involuntary Treatment: Involuntary treatment (Trattamento Sanitario Obbligatorio, or TSO) is a last resort. It only happens if a patient refuses treatment, a medical emergency exists, and no community alternatives are available. It requires authorization from a doctor and the Mayor, and lasts for a maximum of 7 days unless extended. Hospitalization in General Wards: If you need acute care, you have the right to stay in Psychiatric Diagnosis and Treatment Services (SPDC) located inside local general hospitals. These wards are limited to a maximum of 15 beds to ensure humane treatment. Right to Complain and Compensation: You have the right to file complaints if your care is substandard and claim compensation for harm UPMC Italy. To access these rights and free or low-cost services, you must be registered with the Italian healthcare system (SSN) and obtain a health card (tessera sanitaria). You can then visit your general practitioner to get a referral for your local ASL (Local Health Authority) to schedule an appointment. _______________________ Are you familiar with this information?

Venlafaxine (tapering) - Current dose 16.64 mg
Trazodone - 50 mg
Synthroid - 25 mcg

“Your brain and body know how to heal. Trust the process and keep going.”

Please Note: I am not a healthcare professional. Any advice given is based on personal experience and that of others in the lay withdrawal community.

The Blue DragonflyJul 9

WelcomerAbilify · planning

@Based Psychiatrist My symptoms improved because I abruptly stopped taking the drugs in December and then I was admitted to the hospital in mid-January. There were also many positive things about being off the drugs, like feeling more like myself, more in control of my life, and I was emotional, laughing a lot. It was like coming back to life. The negative symptoms were an anguished psychosis.

The Blue DragonflyJul 9

WelcomerAbilify · planning

@Catina Thank you so much for sharing this information with me helps a lot have a better understanding of my rights, I don't know if I will be able to make my voice be heard because I'm usually very accommodating to the wishes of others, i don't protest much for myself.

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CatinaJul 9

Community AnchorEffexor

"Thank you so much for sharing this information with me helps a lot have a better understanding of my rights, I don't know if I will be able to make my voice be heard because I'm usually very accommodating to the wishes of others, i don't protest much for myself." — @DiSoleEDAzzurro

You're very welcome! I hope it helped. According to the law, you have the right to refuse treatment that you don't want. Be strong, the law is on your side!

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BasedStaffJul 10

Community AnchorEffexor

If psychosis is coming back off the meds maybe reducing to a dose instead of off fully is the best idea. Minimal side effects without having to battle psychosis

Creator of Taper Community, here to help you.

The Blue DragonflyJul 11

WelcomerAbilify · planning

@Based Psychiatrist I believe the side effects were caused by abrouptly stopping the drugs (I was in 75mg efexor and 5 mg of abilify), and I think the literature support this idea. I just want to free myself I do not want to believe i have to take drugs for the rest of my life

songbirdSep 23

WelcomerValium · holding

Can you take anything else for the psychotic symptoms as a “compromise” if this med is specifically giving you that many negative side effects?

Valium — 2 years, 2 months — holding | Topamax — 25mg — 3 years, 3 months — actively tapering | other — 3mcg — 3 years, 9 months — supporting others | other — 30mg — 3 years, 3 months — supporting others

The Blue DragonflySep 23

WelcomerAbilify · planning

@songbird new post coming soon for update. I don't know tbh about other psychiatric medications I'd have to ask

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