Is your son actually experiencing any side effects from Depakote? How long has he been on it?

The reality is that the meds given as mood stabilizers will make one feel different, especially in the first month or two. However, that's the whole point...you're trying to slow down the racing thoughts and lack of control that come with mania, and hopefully level out the cycling of moods that is characteristic of the disease. THIS WILL MAKE MAKE YOUR SON FEEL DIFFERENT-STRANGE-SLOW for awhile, but that should fade with time.

If Depakote isn't working after a fair trial, there are several other meds that work well for bipolar, such as lithium, Lamictal, Topamax and so on.

The other thing to remember is that medication is only one piece of the puzzle--regular sleep and excercise, proper nutrition and THERAPY are also quite necessary.

I hope things get easier for your son...bipolar is not fun! I have wanted to be able to go in and have them hook me up to a machine and reboot me so that I felt better, too--but it just doesn't work that way.

DJ