I wish I could offer you some good advice, but yes, Depakote is a nightmare when it comes to weight gain, making one get more depressed.
Has she ever been on Lamictal? I have been since Aug.2002 besides Lithium (now weaning off of ) but still will remain with Lamictal which is an anti-convulsant/seizure med. but also used for bipolar disorder, and even migraines.
Tegratol (forgive my mispellings) is another one that I did not go on cause again I did not like what I heard about weight gain, and lethargy. I find the Lamictal pretty good with no major weight gain if any at all, my regular doc and pdoc said the studies show only 1 % will put on some extra pounds.
This is just my 2 cents, but I feel for your daughter with the weight gain, I wish they'd come out with a new med that will cause your "hair to thicken" and your body "to thin", but I guess that is asking for the "miracle drug", which I hope some pharmaceutical company will soon come up with
I wish you lots of love and luck
"darkeyes"