Mental health medications: Depakote

Sometimes, when treating mental illness, medications that are not initially designed to treat certain conditions end up being very beneficial to them. Such is the case with Depakote.

Depakote is originally intended to treat seizures in patients with certain types of epilepsy, a condition where the brain can abnormally change its electrical functions. Depakote works to suppress the seizures, preventing a full on attack. It does this by raising levels of the brain chemical GABA.

GABA (short for gaba-aminobutryic acid) has a number of functions like keeping the brain’s electrical functions in check by regulating ionic charges and not allowing them to be too excited or too low in activity. A byproduct of this regulation is the control of excitability due to anxiety, stress and panic. In patients diagnosed with mood disorders like bipolar disorder, these feelings could be exaggerated at times.

Some ADHD patients experience explosive anger or extreme irritability from difficulty in controlling impulses. Depakote is sometimes prescribed to them to help regulate those moods and help improve focus. Depakote is also used as an alternative to Ritalin if the patient has become tolerant to it.

Although Depakote is effective in these treatments, there should be concern for interaction with other medications. Patients also taking sedatives like Valium or Klonopin should make sure their doctor is aware before he prescribes Depakote. If taking Ritalin, there may be increased intensity in side effects such as the shakes and tremors. If you will be prescribed Depakote for mental health treatment, be sure to read this list of medications and consult with your doctor if you are taking any of them.

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