I was on depakote for years. I took 750 mg and it flat lined me. My hair did come out some but not that bad. I would come home from work and lay down on the sofa and take a nap which would piss my husband off and I gained weight. The energy did come back somewhat but the emotions never did. I finally had to change docs to get off of it. I am on seroquel and lamictal which works well for me. I still have the weight on though.