I have been on Depakote (divalproex) for 15 years. I have seizures as well as severe manias. I used to get 3 kinds of seizures (grand mal/falling down "fits", petit mal/staring "fits" and temporal lobe. Now I only get the staring kinds. The manias have calmed a lot, altho' they flare up in Spring & also when I'm under a lot of stress. Depakote does make me sleepy. The pdoc started me out at a high dose (a.m. & p.m.) & after 2 months of just being So sleepy, he halfed that dosage. I like that it makes me sleepy at night but not in the a.m. I still am drowsy but not as bad. And I Love not having so many seizures & having the manias calmed down. I do not suffer as badly from depressive bouts as some people do (I get agitated/angry).