hey im 16 yrs old and i've had a very tramatic past. i've been through a hell of a lot and sometimes cant get my thoughts all together and think right. i take depakote and i think it is the best thing that has happened to me, of course there are the side effects like gaining weight and hair loss which i have seen in my own case, but then again you have to look at the bright side and figure out what means more to you. if you are a changed and better person when you take this drug then those minor things wont be such a problem for you. i dont know but i have struggled my whole life and i am only 16 turning 17 like i said and finally i feel like i can live and have a normal life with no stress and with people feeling like they want to be around me not being scared that i might snap at any minute. well good luck you guys and if nothing i said mattered or even applied to you then follow your heart and do what you know deep inside is good for you and dont let your emotions tell you what to do cause they come and go. thanks for listening email me if you would like to talk.