Posted by Ritch on November 21, 2004, at 12:35:42
In reply to Depakote and lack of Creativity, posted by D minor on November 20, 2004, at 22:13:44
> Has anyone found that they felt less creative and more dull while on Depakote?
>
> While I was "hypomanic" and "rapid cycling" I wrote songs on my guitar. Since starting it I haven't touched my guitar, once. I also haven't put on any make-up or felt pretty or sexy like I did before. I really wish I could quit this stuff. Seems like before wasn't really so bad.
>
> dmI've found that when I'm getting all flat on Depakote, it usually is because I'm cycling into depression and it doesn't work for depression worth a darn. It's purely an antimanic IMO. It may reduce the cycling, but I don't think it works at preventing recurrent depression. I've found I just stay in a more prolonged dysthymic state that isn't as deep, and lacking mixed features. I've felt creative on it without being manic, but I wasn't in a depressive cycle. Lithium and Trileptal worked a lot better for depression, but can't really tolerate either one. Even Neurontin had an antidepressant effect. Maybe you can switch from Depakote to something else? Maybe Lithium, Trileptal, or Lamictal?
poster:Ritch
thread:418460
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041118/msgs/418623.html