I got that way on depakote. Just did not care at all. It was refreshing, actually, because I didn't feel like I had to take care of everyone beacuse I didn't care anymore. But I was only 15 when I was on it.

What other APs has he tried? And has he ever tried a mood stabilizer? I have bipolar one and I got by on trileptal alone for about six months. It only stopped working because I was dumb and stopped/started three times. The last time my brain just went hell no we won't go.

I have tried most of the usual APs and they all have intolerable side effects. I'm on geodon now and I'm dumb as a rock. But I haven't been on it long enough to see if that side effect will lessen.

I feel that stopping and starting is more detrimental to your body and brain than the med would be. I'm not surprised he couldn't sleep. Could have been withdrawal.

Maybe try to start some alternative therapies for sleep like melatonin or Benadryl and meditation practice, like progressive muscle relaxation. Then maybe - preferably with a pdoc's help - he could try going without again.