For the first couple years all I took was a mood stabilizer (depakote) then after my second hospitalization I've been on antipsychotics for the last 10 years. Its as if I can't function without them. I can't sleep without zyprexa. The side effects vary and these are heavy duty drugs. I feel exhausted throughout the day and am in bed 12+ hours.

They usually do the trick in stopping the mania/psychosis.
But, imo these drugs should be used short term only.

Latuda was the only ap I've taken with basically no noticeable side effects and it kind of seemed to uplift me instead of making me tired all day.