I've been on Risperdal for over 5 years and have never had any trouble with it. I know it can make some people overly tired, but that didn't happen to me. I got started on it to help with self-injury urges and it worked almost right away. I take an extra half or 1 mg when the urge gets really bad and it takes the edge off it.

I'm not sure about its mood stabilizing properties, as for me it functions as a mild tranquilizer and I have another mood stabilizer, but it also helped (initially, anyway) with the depression. After so many years, I don't notice it anymore, really. I did try, with doc's supervision, to taper off it once, and it was a disaster, I was actively suicidal within a day and a half -- but I think that's a function of having been on it for so long -- although as far as I know it isn't supposed to be addicting.

Hope that helps. I find it very useful and if your doc prescribed it, he must think it will help, too. Good luck.

Candy