"i was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder early this year after spending most of my life not knowing what was going on with me. i was prescribed depakote at 750mg a day to start with. i&#039;d never had any other medication so cannot compare it to anything else but without it i don&#039;t think i would be here now. i got that bad with my mood swings becoming so severe. yes, i&#039;ve put on a little weight but i&#039;d rather that than go back to how i was. yes at times i&#039;m still hyper and then exhausted for a few days, still better than being erratic and bouncing off the walls for days/weeks on end. i know it wont work for everyone but i&#039;m doing much better with it."