... this normal?
Divalproex Sodium - I am prescribed Depakote for depression and anxiety, mainly to help me sleep, is
Question posted by Andy10370 on 15 Nov 2012
Last updated on 2 February 2018
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7 Answers
ttaylor47
19 Jan 2018
Depakote has been around for sometime now and it seems to be effective in treating mood disorder, anxiety, however if you have weight issues it may not be a good choice. Often times it can be very beneficial for shizoeffective, psychoes, and mood and anxiety.
Coburn
7 Sep 2017
I have severe anxiety and occasional mild depression. I've seen three psychiatrist. All three gave a different diagnosis. Twenty years ago I was put on Klonopin for GAD. Worked great. Recently I actually believed I was dying and being sent to hell! All three doctors put me on Geodon for supposed delusions. Didn't help the anxiety one bit. One year ago I was put on Depakote and taken off the Klonopin. In combination with Geodon Depakote works wonders for the debilitating anxiety, even better than the Klonopin had. The big downside is that I'm gaining about 10 lbs per month on Depakote! Geodon is weight neutral. I've tried Lamictal and Trileptal so as to avoid weight gain, but they intensified the anxiety rather than helping it. The prescribing doc thinks I'm bipolar, but I get no clinical depression or euphoria or irritability or hyperactivity or pressured speech.
I don't go on spending sprees or engage in wreckless behavior. I think the diagnosis is wrong. Switching shrinks. Any idea of what to take for anxiety that doesn't cause obesity? Thank you.
Brownba
2 Feb 2018
Same situation. Did you ever find a solution?
Andy10370
15 Nov 2012
It is for me, I'm taking Depakote and Abilify. I'm surprised at how well Abilify works, or maybe it's the Depakote. Whatever, I feel better than I have on years. I was just making sure Depakote could be prescribed for anxiety/depression.
Andy10370
15 Nov 2012
Thank you all for your advice. I'm taking it with Abilify and it seems effective. I'm switching from taking 4mg Xanax a day for the past 10+ yrs and it has been no picnic but I want to do this right and not just bury my problem with benzos. I already feel better after 2 weeks so anyone that feels like they are stuck in a hopeless cycle of increased anxiety caused by the drugs and the drug is the only relief, I'm here to tell you its not nearly as bad as you might imagine. If I can do it, anyone can. Trust me.
tejas129
15 Nov 2012
I'm very glad to hear that you are having success with these meds Andy. It's most likely the Abilify that has made this big difference for you.Also glad to hear from someone who has successfully done away with the benzos,as that is a very difficult thing to stop taking after years of being on them.
KingnQueen
9 Jan 2017
Wow! I'm in the same boat as you. I have severe anxiety and have felt the only meds to help are benzodiazepines! But I went to the dr today and she didn't want to prescribe them so she felt Depakote would work on top of my depression medication. I was ok with that but I'm sort of close minded due to the fact other meds other then benzos have not worked... so I want to ask, did you immediately feel anxiety free? Does the depakote work? If so, better then benzos,not at all, or the same?! Thanks!
tejas129
15 Nov 2012
Yes, Depakote is prescribed for depression and GAD,as well as seizure disorders. In fact,even though Depakote is known as an anti seizure medication,it is prescribed frequently for depression. I was on it for several years @ 500 mg a day. I had weight gain though so went to Wellbutrin instead.Hope you find that it works well for you,when accompanied by an antidepressant.
kaismama
15 Nov 2012
What's the point of taking it instead of an antidepressant for depression?
tejas129
15 Nov 2012
There would be no point in taking it. That's why I said "when used with an antidepressant".
kaismama
15 Nov 2012
Oh, I thought you said it was prescribed for it for you.
tejas129
15 Nov 2012
I did say Depakote was prescribed for me.It was prescribed along with an antidepressant,for depression and GAD...
kaismama
15 Nov 2012
Ok, my error, sorry.
kaismama
15 Nov 2012
Its not an antidepressant. If you're depressed you will need an antidepressant to go along with the depakote.
Inactive
15 Nov 2012
Hello Andy10370. Yes it is. It is perscribed off label for GAD and as well for depression. I hope the drug helps you. Regards pledge
Related topics
depakote, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, generalized anxiety disorder, divalproex sodium, sleep
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