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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Depakot as prophylactic?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Depakot as prophylactic?
by Aunt Cathy, Sep 02, 2004 12:00AM
My 15 yr old niece has a family history of bipolar disorder (grandmother, mother, aunt, and brother). Her doctor is prescribing Depakote as a prophylactic measure against future bipolar disorder even though she is stopping short of diagnosing my niece as bipolar right now.
My niece has had some depressive episodes over the last couple of years but has never had a manic or even hypomanic episode.
Will starting Depakote NOW somehow lessen the severity or prevent or delay the onset of "full-blown" bipolar disease?
I understand that my niece's family history would indicate a high chance of her developing bipolar - but is her doctor jumping the gun here?
Furthermore, can you direct me to any studies regarding the long term effects of Depakote?
My niece has had some depressive episodes over the last couple of years but has never had a manic or even hypomanic episode.
Will starting Depakote NOW somehow lessen the severity or prevent or delay the onset of "full-blown" bipolar disease?
I understand that my niece's family history would indicate a high chance of her developing bipolar - but is her doctor jumping the gun here?
Furthermore, can you direct me to any studies regarding the long term effects of Depakote?
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Sep 03, 2004 12:00AM
, Sep 03, 2004 12:00AM
I do not know of any credible research that justifies using Depakote as a preventative medication. It has side effects, and numbing effects, and is usually consider safe for long term use, but shouldn't be used at all unless strongly indicated.
Member Comments (3)
by annelrm, Sep 03, 2004 12:00AM
I took depakot for a few weeks and it made me so sick, I heard a lot of bad things about depakot. It is supposed to be for people with epilepsy. If I were you I would get her off of it
by I'mallheart, Sep 05, 2004 12:00AM
To: aunt cathy
get her off it ...its bad especially on the liver...
