I forgot to mention that sometimes switching generic brands can help with side effects. I switched to a different brand and all of my annoying side effects disappeared completely. I was having severe cognitive side effects and problems with extreme lethargy. I switched to a gel cap of valproic acid and now I am completely fine. My pdoc says many of the side effects are not caused by the drug. They are caused by the additives. You may want to ask your doc about this if depakote is essential to your treatment.