"i was prescribed this because it is a mood stabilizer.  in other words, i sank down pretty low in mood with long term stressors such as death of family members and a couple of moves, not going to aa and not being in therapy (ugh). i started this recently and at 500 mg seemed to be able to sleep.  at 1000 mg, i was restless.  if i&#039;m feeling low then it&#039;s doing what it&#039;s supposed to i suppose.  i will cut back to the 500 mg and take it in the morning and see if it makes me sleepy or hyper.  i take 22 mg of buspar at night because i was also suffering from anxiety that was not letting me sleep.  i liked the fact that depakote works well almost immediately, and i was assured that after three weeks, i should feel &quot;normal&quot; again and can quit."