Depakote is an anti-seizure med most frequently used in bipolar treatment as a mood stabilizer, meaning it keeps the manic stage under control. 250 mg is a very small dose, considering therapeutic ranges usually start at 1000 mg for treating bipolar mania. When taken at night, it will make you drowsy. That eventually lessens but it will have a calming effect for 24 hours. Frankly, I''m not a professional and have only taken it for bipolar and I take only a moderate strength of 1000mg. I have known people on doses as high as 3500mg. It is a medication that is known to cause most people to gain weight. In treating GAD, he may never increase the dosage so you may never have to worry about any side effects. I'm not sure any of this is worth anything to you but thought I'd throw it out to you.