Meet with a licensed provider online to explore if a mood stabilizer like valproic acid (Depakote) may be right for you.
Treatment for:bipolar disorder
You’ll get the most accurate information if we know where you’re seeking care, as insurance coverage and self-pay rates vary by state.
Below are the insurances we accept in state. Don’t see yours listed or have insurance? You can still get help through self-pay.
Your copay could be as low as
$0
Average [insurance] copays are
[sessions]% of [insurance]-covered sessions cost $[session-cost] or less
Find a provider who fits your needs — hand-selected by (or for) you
Go to therapy in person or online, whichever works best for you
Receive help quickly — have your first session this very week
Thriveworks will verify your provider is in-network with your plan before your appointment. Copay data is based on -insured Thriveworks sessions in the past 12 months. Actual costs may vary by plan.
Get individual therapy for depression, stress, and more (for yourself or your child/teen). Or, work through your unique relationship challenges in couples/marriage or family therapy.
Reduce or manage symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety and ADHD, with psychiatric medication.
Browse our providers online or call our scheduling team for matching assistance — find a provider who accepts your insurance and meets your needs, whether that’s a clinical specialty or a shared life experience. Choose a date and time that works for you and how you’d prefer to pay (using insurance or self-pay).
Meet online with your provider to begin treatment. At your first session, share any symptoms or struggles you’re experiencing along with your goals. Together, you and your provider will discuss if medication may be a good next step. Your provider may write you a prescription to be filled at your local pharmacy.
Once your treatment plan is created, your provider will regularly check in and encourage feedback to ensure any medication you may be prescribed is effective for you.
Mood stabilizers are a class of medication that helps support mood stability for mental health conditions like bipolar disorder.
Mood stabilizers work by regulating the activity of nerve cells in the brain, which can protect against manic or depressive episodes.
Valproic acid (Depakote) is used to treat bipolar disorder. It is also used to treat certain types of seizures, and off-label to treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy (diabetic nerve pain), post-herpetic neuralgia (pain from nerve damage from shingles), aggression, agitation, and impulsivity, and to prevent migraines. An off-label use is when a medication is used for a condition other than its approved use.
How valproic acid makes you feel depends on your response to the medication and other individual factors. You should notice an improvement in your condition from regularly taking valproic acid. When you begin taking valproic acid, you may experience certain common side effects of the medication, including dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, weight changes, abdominal pain, insomnia, depression, or hair loss. These should be temporary and go away with continued treatment. However, in rare cases, valproic acid may also cause serious or life-threatening side effects like suicidal thoughts or behavior, hallucinations, bleeding, depression, low body temperature, and high blood ammonia levels. If you experience serious side effects, including changes in your mood, thoughts, or behavior, call your provider right away or call 911 if you think you're experiencing a medical emergency.
Yes, both weight loss and weight gain are possible side effects of valproic acid treatment. The medication can cause changes in your appetite (increased or decreased), which can then cause weight changes. If you have questions about the likelihood of weight gain or loss during valproic acid treatment, talk with your provider.
No, valproic acid is not an antipsychotic—it is a mood stabilizer, though it can be used in cases of psychosis. If you have other questions about how valproic acid works to treat your condition, talk with your provider to learn more.
No, valproic acid is not a federally controlled substance, as it is not known to be habit-forming or cause addiction. If you have other questions about valproic acid, talk with your pharmacist or provider.
Yes, sleepiness is a common side effect of valproic acid, though insomnia (trouble sleeping) is another. You may experience changes in your sleep pattern when you begin treatment with valproic acid. If you experience sleepiness, don't drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Talk with your provider if sleepiness is bothersome and doesn't go away.
Your valproic acid levels will be monitored through blood tests ordered by your provider. When your valproic acid levels are low, your condition may not be effectively managed. For example, if you're taking valproic acid for a bipolar disorder, you may be at higher risk of having your previous symptoms return. It's important to take valproic acid exactly as prescribed by your provider to manage your condition. If you have questions about your medication levels, talk with your provider
You can meet online with a licensed provider at Thriveworks — if it’s clinically appropriate, they may prescribe you medication for the treatment of a diagnosed mental health condition. Your Thriveworks provider will send your prescription to a local pharmacy to be filled.
Thriveworks accepts most major insurance plans for our online psychiatry and therapy services. Your insurance may also cover the cost of any medication prescribed to you by your Thriveworks provider, which can be filled at a local pharmacy. Check with your insurance provider to confirm your medical and prescription coverage information.
Schedule an online appointment with a licensed psychiatric provider at Thriveworks. After meeting with you and discussing your symptoms and treatment plan, your provider may recommend a prescription medication and/or additional services to help you reach your goals.
Yes, Thriveworks is LegitScript-certified. LegitScript, a trusted compliance organization that verifies healthcare and telehealth providers, has reviewed Thriveworks.com as part of its rigorous certification process. This certification confirms that Thriveworks meets LegitScript’s high standards for legality, safety, and transparency, ensuring that our services comply with industry regulations and ethical guidelines.
Our psychiatry services are done completely online, so you can schedule with any psychiatric provider in your state.
Accepting medication as part of your mental health care plan is an individual and often deeply personal decision. At Thriveworks, we’re here to help you understand your care options and support you on the path toward wellness. We prioritize treating the whole patient, whether through medication, therapy, or a combination of both — guided by clinical best practices and rigorously developed treatment strategies to help clients safely and efficiently resolve their symptoms.
If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or experiencing a mental health or substance, use crisis, dial 988 to call the 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Text HOME to 741741 for free, confidential support from a volunteer crisis counselor with the Crisis Text Line.
If you’re having a medical or mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your local ER.
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