Yeah, I was completely beside myself when I was first diagnosed. It's a lot to take in, especially when it comes out of nowhere. I literally thought I had ADHD and Major Depressive Disorder, and I really didn't know what "bipolar" was.

What helped me was, I stopped thinking about the diagnosis for a few days and did something else to keep my mind occupied. Then I came back and started researching it, when I finally had a clear mind. (I was just too emotional and confused when I was first diagnosed, and I knew I needed a clear mind before I started researching.)

Anyway, I've never had Epival, so I can't really say anything about it... However, I do see some stuff online saying that Epival causes weight gain. If you're worried about that, look into Lamictal. Lamictal is a VERY popular choice for BP people, and it's weight neutral. (Just thought I would give you a heads up. )