I've been on Risperdal since I was diagnosed 6 years ago. I find it very helpful for mania and psychosis. As far as psychosis went, I noticed a change within 4 days or so, but I was in acute psychosis and to get fully out of it took longer. Not sure of its effects on depression. I had to reduce the dose a few years ago because it was causing hyperprolactinemia (too much prolactin). I'm on 1 mg now as an addon to my other meds and it's working well.